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 Tim Cunliffe.
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.
Dr Julian Peace, Executive Chair
The following pharmaceutical companies have had no involvement in the content of this website or in our conference programmes
