Meet the Dermatology team
The dermatology team has a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach.
The multidisciplinary team consists of pathologists, radiologists, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, oncologist, specialist nurses and a MDT coordinator. The team meet weekly with colleagues at Norfolk and Norwich hospital to discuss patient’s treatment plans.
Pathologist - our pathology colleagues are based at the Cotman centre in Norwich and some specimens go to Addenbrookes.
Oncology doctors are based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Radiology – CT scans, MRI scans and ultrasound guided biopsies are performed at the James Paget University Hospital
PET scans are performed at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Plastic surgeons – Our plastic surgeon colleagues are based at the Norfolk and Norwich and work at both hospitals. Dr Elissen, a local GP with special interest in complex surgical procedures, performs some procedures.
Ophthalmology - some skin cancers that have a close proximity to the eye will be referred to ocular plastic surgeons within the ophthalmology department. Once the referral has been triaged, you will either be booked for a consultation to discuss surgery or booked straight for surgery.
The team is supported by a MDT coordinator, booking coordinators and secretaries.
Medical team
Dr Mousumi Dasgupta Zaman, FRCP, MRCP (Dermatology) – Consultant dermatologist clinical lead and lead for local skin MDT
Dr Zaman graduated in Bangladesh and came to the UK following completion of foundation year training, completing further training in the NHS and working in Emergency Departments, intensive care, acute medicine and Dermatology.
Dr Zaman has completed post-graduation qualifications in medicine and in dermatology, is a member of the Royal College of Physicians (London) and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh. A faculty member of the British College of Dermatology, Dr Zaman has a special interest in cutaneous allergy and medical education, running general and paediatric dermatology clinics and specialised allergy clinics, including patch test clinic and adult skin prick test clinics and has had several papers published in peer reviewed journals, including the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Dr Zaman is currently the clinical lead for dermatology and shares the dermatology module lead post for UEA students with Dr Elissen.
Dr Mariella Elissen – Associate specialist in dermatology. Lead in cancer, advanced skin surgery and co lead for local skin MDT
Dr Elissen graduated from the University of Amsterdam in February 1994. She continued to be trained in Tropical Medicine (surgical part) and Family Medicine, and was trained at the James Paget and became a General Practitioner in 2000. After a stay in Australia, she developed her interest for skin cancer and dermatological surgery. In 2008, she started working in the Dermatology Department at the James Paget. In 2009, she received a postgraduate diploma in Minor Surgery and later in 2020 was accredited as a GP with Extended Role in Medical Dermatology and Skin Lesion Management.
Currrent roles; Dermatology JPUH - Senior Lead for Skin Cancer, Senior Lead for the two-week-wait clinic, Senior lead for advanced skin surgery, UEA tutor, Audit lead
Great Yarmouth and Waveney area ICS - Minor surgery service
Rosedale Surgery - GP partner, UEA tutor (obstetrics/gynaecology/ paediatrics/palliative care/geriatics), Audit Lead
Member of the British Society of Dermatological Surgery
Member of FSRH with LARC competence
Member of the RCGP
Dr Thamir Abraham – Locum consultant dermatologist
Dr Thamir Abraham is a Locum consultant dermatologist working at the James Paget
He earned dermatology qualifications from Glasgow University of physicians and surgeons and Cambridge University, and is a Member of the Royal Society of Medicine, St Johns Dermatology Society and British Association of Dermatologists
Qualified 1993, he has 15 years NHS experience working in dermatology and has a special interest in skin cancer.
Dr Rayehana Akter – Speciality doctor in dermatology
After graduating in Bangladesh in 2006, Dr Akter did a post graduation qualification in dermatology. With extensive experience on internal medicine and teaching experience in basic subjects at different medical colleges in Bangladesh, Dr Akter moved to join the NHS and worked in Accident and Emergency Medicine before starting work in Dermatology
Dr Akter regularly sees outpatients as well as carrying out surgeries, and teaches students from the UEA.
Dr Omar Ahmed – Speciality doctor in dermatology
Dr Hina Mehmood – Speciality doctor in dermatology
Dr Asha James - Locum Speciality doctor in dermatology
Plastic surgeons
Mr Guido Koehler (NNUHFT [Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust]) – Plastic surgeon
Guido has been a consultant at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) since 2017, having completed plastic surgical residencies in Germany and training in the USA. A board certified plastic surgeon since 2009, Dr Koehler previously worked as a consultant at the University of Würzburg, Germany.
Mr Nicholas (Nick) Sheppard (NNUHFT) - Plastic surgeon
Nick graduated from Oxford in 2001 and undertook general surgery and plastic surgery training in London, Cambridge and Chelmsford. He completed a nationally appointed interface hand fellowship before taking up his post at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) in February 2016. Cross-specialty trained, he has areas of interest throughout plastic and hand surgery. These include soft-tissue and microvascular reconstruction, joint replacement and carpal surgery. He also specialises in surgery for sarcoma and skin cancer.
Nick visits James Paget University Hospital as an Honorary Consultant Plastic Surgeon.
Mr Daniele Morritt – Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgeon, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, Honorary Consultant Plastic Surgeon, James Paget University Hospital, Great Yarmouth
Secretary: Lisa Thompson (lisa.thompson@nnuh.nhs.uk)
Degrees & Universities: MBChB, MSc, FRCS (Plast)
Specialty: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Subspecialties: Hand surgery; skin cancer surgery; microsurgery
After graduating from Leeds University, Mr Morritt completed his Basic Surgical Training in Yorkshire. His Plastic Surgery training was in East Grinstead, Oxford, Edinburgh and London (Royal Free and St Thomas Hospitals). He has a postgraduate degree in Tissue Engineering from Cardiff. After completing his specialist training he spent one year in Adelaide, Australia, completing a microsurgery fellowship and a fellowship in Hand Surgery in Chelmsford with Mr Elliot and Mrs Sirotakova.
Mr Morritt's special interests include nerve compressions (including carpal tunnel syndrome); arthritis (steroid injections and joint replacements); Dupuytren's. disease; trigger finger; hand tumours (including ganglia, lumps and skin lesions).
Mrs Bridget Hemmant - Ocular plastic surgeon
Mr Awotesu – Ocular plastic surgeon
Nursing team
Julie Errington - Advanced Dermatology Nurse
Julie, our Advanced Dermatology Nurse, sees some of the two-week wait referrals. She will take a history, examine the lesion and discuss the best form of treatment, which may include surgical removal.
She is one of the current 'Lead prescribers' for both the adult and paediatric Isotretinoin service.
Julie says; "I started my nurse training at the Charles Frears School of Nursing, in Leicester, in 1986 and qualified in 1988 as an Enrolled Nurse. Since qualifying I have gained a Diploma and Degree in Nursing and also became a Non-Medical Prescriber, and have more recently become an Advanced Dermatology Nurse.
"I have worked in Dermatology as a Nurse Specialist since 2008 and have undertaken various nurse-led clinics and minor surgery. I currently do two-week wait, PhotoDynamic Therapy and Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) clinics."
Helen French - Dermatology support nurse
Helen trained at the James Paget hospital and qualified in 1987 first as an enrolled nurse then, after more training, as a staff nurse.
She says; "I worked on medical wards before going to the community and worked as a community nurse for 10 years. I then joined children and family services and was part of a new team which set up a new school vaccination programme to deliver the HPV vaccine. I worked there for seven years before joining the dermatology department at the James Paget hospital in 2015.
"During my time in Dermatology, I have worked in a variety of nurse led clinics and, more recently, in the skin cancer team. I see patients at point of diagnosis during the clinic appointment and offer advice and support both verbally and with written information packs. Patients can contact me direct at any point during their journey from diagnosis to further treatment.
Leanne Clark - Dermatology support nurse
Barbara Collins – Dermatology support nurse
Krystle Dennis - Dermatology support nurse
Krystle is one of our dermatology support nurses who is trained in minor op surgery and may perform your surgical procedure or be present at your clinic appointment to discuss your results.
Contact our Dermatology Support Nurses on 01493 453616.