Treatment of Children

The paediatric (children’s) laser service is now based at Bristol Children’s Hospital, which has a vascular laser for the treatment of port wine stain birthmarks and other skin conditions. The service is run by the paediatric dermatology department under the leadership of Dr Lindsay Shaw, Consultant Dermatologist. Dr Kay Thomas, who leads the Bristol Laser Centre at Southmead Hospital, holds clinics at the Bristol Children’s Hospital three times a month and provides the majority of the laser treatments.

Referrals & Funding of Children

NHS funding

Laser treatment for children with significant facial birthmarks is funded by NHS England. A referral letter will be required from your GP or hospital specialist. NHS referrals for children should be sent to Dr Lindsay Shaw, Consultant Dermatologist, Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Self-funding

If it is not possible to get NHS funding you can choose to pay for your child’s treatment. For further information, contact the Bristol Laser Centre . We require a referral letter from your GP for all patients under 16, even if you are self-funding the treatment.

If you have any questions about laser treatment for children please contact the laser centre on 0117 4141212 or contact the Bristol Laser Centre.

Feedback

We have received perfect care, compassionate, professional, understanding and well managed clinically. The use of up to date laser equipment gives us confidence that our daughter Olive is getting the most effective treatment possible. The care we all get as a family from the staff, together with effective treatment from modern equipment makes the whole experience fantastic, we feel very lucky to be under their care.

Bill Hosker