About
Barry W.E.M. Powell MCh MA FRCS(Ed) FRCS(Eng)
I graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1978. I completed my early training in Dublin and then moved to England to embark on my Plastic Surgery career. I started in Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, and then carried out the senior part of my training in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol and The Royal Marsden Hospital, London.​
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I spent two years researching possible treatment strategies for malignant melanoma at the Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton. I was awarded the Higher Degree of Master in Surgery (MCh) for this work.
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Further to this, I introduced the concept of Sentinel Node Biopsy for malignant melanoma into the UK. In 1994 I was appointed Consultant to St.George's Hospital, Tooting and Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton. Initially I had a joint appointment on both sites until the closure of the Plastic Surgery Unit at Queen Mary's Hospital. I also have commitments to The Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, Haslemere Hospital and several General Practice Surgeries in the area.
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There are three major aspects to my private practice:
Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer
I have developed an expertise in the management of melanoma & non melanoma skin cancer over the last 25 years which included my training years. The Department at St.George's Hospital sees approximately 300 new melanoma cases per year and I see 100 cases privately. I work closely with my colleagues in Dermatology, Radiotherapy, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Pathology & Oncology and I have put in place protocols for the management of patients with skin cancers.
I have established a Sentinel Node Biopsy programme for patients as well as the management of further disease when lymph nodes become involved.
I have introduced the technique of electrochemotherapy for patients with local recurrent disease to UK.
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I offer second opinions for skin cancer cases both nationally and internationally.
Burns & wound healing
I was a Burns Consultant at the Queen Mary's Hospital Roehampton for five years, until its closure. Since then I have maintained an interest in major paediatric (childrens') burns which were managed at St. George's Hospital, Tooting. Due to Government recommendations about the siting of major burns these have now relocated to The Chelsea & Westminster Hospital.
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Through my burns interest I also developed a major interest in the management of all forms of wounds and work closely with nursing staff, district nurses and tissue viability nurses to manage these successfully.
Previous Positions
UK
Established the largest Melanoma Unit in the United Kingdom (St.George's Hospital)
NICE working party for Melanoma
National Clinical Advisor for Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer Pathway Chair, London Cancer Alliance
Member of the Cancer Service Committee for The Royal College of Surgeons of England
Trustee and Member of the UK Melanoma Focus Group
Member of the UK Skin Cancer Working Party
Member on All Parliamentary Group for Melanoma
Assessor for the Consultant Advisory Panel for The Royal College of Surgeons, England
Chairman of the Inter Collegiate Board of Plastic Surgery Examiners
Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Internationally
Member of the Surgical Group of the EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) Melanoma Group
Associate of the International Sentinel Node Society
Achievements
Established the first Skin Bank in the United Kingdom (Stephen Kirby Skin Bank)
Member of 'Action on' programme for both Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, established by the NHS Modernisation Agency
Council Member for the British Association Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
Regional Advisor for Plastic Surgery (South Thames)
Member of Pan Thames Training Scheme in Plastic Surgery