The PCDS (Primary Care Dermatology Society) was formed in July 1994 by a group of GPs with an enthusiasm for dermatology who recognised the need for such a forum where GPs could exchange views on primary care dermatology, develop skills and progress clinical research in this exciting and developing field of medicine.
Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS) is established as a company limited by guarantee and is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (No. 1109376).
The directors of the company are also charity Trustees for the purposes of charity law (please see separate page for current Trustees) and under the company’s Articles are known as members of the Charity. The Trustees are responsible for the management of PCDS for which they receive no remuneration.
However, the day to day management of the company is devolved to members of the Executive Committee the current chair of which is Dr Julian Peace.
The founding GPs were acutely aware that up to 30% of GP consultations have some element of skin in them, but yet most GPs and other Primary Care Health Professionals have limited training opportunities in Dermatology. This workload continues to increase as ongoing changes in funding and the NHS structure move more patient care into the community. Thus, in collaboration with the Consultant Dermatologist, GPs will be increasingly involved in the disease management of chronic skin conditions.
The founding members therefore took the initiative and agreed to form the PCDS, in order to successfully represent the membership and the Society’s objectives in the UK.
In addition, the development of GPwSI require a voice and forum for support and discussion, which the PCDS is ideally placed to provide.
The Society has grown in size and influence in the ensuing years and now exceeds 4000 members and provides a Primary and Intermediate Care voice in all aspects of dermatology.
It is supported by the majority of Pharma companies, with dermatological interests, by annual subscriptions which reduces the risk of individual bias. This allows the society to subsidise and develop educational meetings all over the UK and to keep the membership fee low which encourages a wide membership take-up.
The primary goal of the PCDS is to redress and correct the historical under provision of dermatology education in primary care, which has inevitably led to GPs who are less well equipped to care for their patients with skin conditions. We seek to address this educational need by educational conferences, a quarterly bulletin, our website and other appropriate educational activities, working together with consultant colleagues, GP educationalists and others with similar goals.
To provide an innovative forum for GPs, GPwERs, Nurses, Podiatrists, Clinical & Community Pharmacists and other members of the primary healthcare team with a common interest in dermatology and skin surgery to exchange views and ideas, encourage research and improve patient management.
To encourage an interest and provide an arena to promote and establish a clearer understanding of dermatology in primary care.
To create wider awareness and appreciation of the benefits of shared care and to encourage strong links with specialist groups such as the BAD, BDNG, RCGP and patient support groups.
In addition the society has developed as a voice for primary care dermatology in all areas of debate regarding accreditation and the development of dermatological services.
Membership benefits include:
These are organised on a regional basis and comprise one and two day meetings, ie Spring, Summer, Autumn and Scottish meetings along with a whole host of one day meetings:
Details of all meetings are listed in the events diary on the website and in PCDS Bulletin
Courses include:
The following pharmaceutical companies have had no involvement in the content of this website or in our conference programmes
