Medical Photography

The Medical Illustration team are professionally qualified and strive to achieve the highest standards by combining traditional skills with modern technology.

Our highly skilled photographers are accredited by AHCS (Academy for Healthcare Science) and are bound by the Institute of Medical Illustrators’ Code of Professional Practice.

They provide many services to the hospital:

• clinical photography of patients on wards, in theatres, clinics and the studio
• medico-legal photography
• non-clinical Photography including staff portraits, public relations, architectural, equipment and product photography
• ophthalmic photography which provides a range of imaging techniques to support the diagnosis and treatment of a range of eye conditions. The imaging techniques include digital photography of the front (anterior segment) and back of the eye (retina) and Fundus Fluorescein Angiograms (FFA)
• advice on consent & copyright

When you come to the Medical Imaging Department, you must check in at reception to let them know you are here for medical photographs.

Once in the studio, a photographer will check you have understood the consent you’ve given, and answer any questions you have.

You may have to remove items of clothing, jewellery, or makeup. A chaperone is available if you would like to have one.

All photography is treated with discretion, confidentiality and sensitivity, and all photographs are covered by the Data Protection Act.

Who will see the photographs?

Medical photographs are confidential; just like any other part of your medical records. Only staff directly involved in your care will see your photographs.

What are the photographs for?

We take medical photographs primarily for medical records. It’s important to keep a visual record to monitor the progress of your condition or treatment. In many cases, a photograph documents the current appearance so we can monitor changes over time.

Medical photographs can also:

• help decide when treatment should begin
• aid the assessment of a course of treatment
• reassure you your treatment is working and your condition has improved
• provide a record of your appearance before and after surgery
• help your clinician seek help and advice from other specialists

There are three levels of consent. It’s your choice, and if you have any questions about consent please ask the Photographer when you visit.

Level 1 – Confidential Record

Photographs stay confidential in your medical records.

Level 2 – Confidential Record and Teaching

Clinicians may use your photographs to educate other medical staff. We do not share your personal information.

Level 3 – Confidential Record, Teaching and Publication

If a clinician wants to publish your photographs they need you to agree consent before publication. We only publish photographs if you sign level 3 consent.

If you change your mind

If you later decide to change the level of consent you agreed, you can do so by contacting the Medical Photography department.

We will update our records and will not release any more copies of the photographs. Unfortunately, it is not possible to withdraw any material that has already been published.

Visit the AccessAble website for accessibility information and directions for visiting the Medical Illustration service.