Dr Amy Perkins
Dermatology
I am a Consultant Dermatologist working across general dermatology, skin cancer assessment, minor surgery, paediatrics, and inflammatory skin disease clinics. My work spans the full spectrum of dermatological care, from diagnosing and treating common skin conditions to managing complex, rare, and severe presentations, for patients of all ages.
My clinical work is at Belfast Skin Clinic.
I believe dermatology is as much about listening and understanding as it is about diagnosis and treatment. Whether addressing a medical skin condition, supporting healthy ageing, or helping patients navigate the pressures of social media-driven beauty culture, my goal is to provide care that is safe, ethical, and tailored to each individual’s needs.
Education and Background
I graduated in Medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 2016, receiving earning multiple academic awards including distinctions and merits in several clinical disciplines. After gaining broad experience across medical specialties, I focused on dermatology, working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Forth Valley. I joined the GMC Specialist Register in Dermatology in March 2026 and now practise as a Consultant Dermatologist in the private sector.
My qualifications and further education include:
-
Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP UK), achieved in 2018, and the Specialty Certificate Examination in Dermatology, passed in 2022.
-
Masters (MSc) in Skin Ageing and Aesthetic Medicine at the University of Manchester, undertaken from 2023 to 2026.
-
A Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education from the University of Dundee, with distinctions in Simulation for Healthcare Education and Practice and Professionalism in Medical Education.
-
Further study in management and leadership, health economics and health technology assessment at the University of Glasgow.
-
Training in Mathematics and Statistics for NHS Staff at the University of Strathclyde.
My dermatology education has also included a medical elective in Cambodia and observerships across the world, including Cambodia, India and Kenya. These experiences have broadened my understanding of dermatology across different communities and healthcare settings.
Alongside my clinical work, I am an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, contributing to medical student teaching, supervision and assessment. I also serve as the dermatology representative on the MRCP Part 1 Board of Examiners and continue to develop my knowledge through specialist courses, conferences and ongoing professional education.
Clinical Expertise
As a Consultant Dermatologist, I diagnose and manage conditions affecting the skin, hair and nails. My clinical experience spans general dermatology, paediatric dermatology and skin cancer, including the management of severe eczema and psoriasis.
I perform a range of diagnostic and surgical procedures, including punch and incisional biopsies, shave excisions, elliptical excisions, curettage and cautery, and cryotherapy. I also use dermoscopy to assess skin lesions and provide intralesional steroid injections for appropriate skin and scalp conditions.
My areas of special interest include:
-
Skin cancer prevention and early detection: supporting patients through skin assessment and sun safety education, alongside my work as Public Health and Clinical Dermatology Lead for SKCIN, the UK’s national skin cancer charity, and as a member of the Scottish Government Sunbed Safety Working Group.
-
Public health dermatology: improving access to clear, evidence-based information about skin health, challenging misleading claims and advocating for safer practices around UV exposure and sunbed use.
-
Medical education: teaching and supervising medical students and doctors, including GP trainees, through my role as an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow and my work in postgraduate training and assessment.
-
Social media, misinformation and skin health: exploring how online trends, beauty ideals and misleading health claims shape patients’ decisions and expectations. My work includes public speaking, published commentary and contributions to international guidance on doctors’ use of social media.
-
Artificial intelligence in healthcare: contributing clinical expertise to the evaluation of AI-generated health information, including work on OpenAI’s HealthBench to assess the accuracy and quality of dermatology and broader health responses.
Academic Work and Presentations
My academic work spans clinical research, quality improvement, medical education and the influence of digital media on healthcare. I have contributed to peer-reviewed publications, national audit work, and regional projects to improve prescribing and patient safety in dermatology.
I am a regular invited speaker at national and international conferences and educational events, presenting on clinical dermatology, skin cancer prevention, UV misinformation, social media, artificial intelligence and routes into specialist dermatology practice. I also chair and moderate professional discussions and symposia.
I served as a social media reporter for the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Paris in 2025 and Vienna in 2026, helping communicate research and developments in dermatology to a wider audience.
Alongside this, I teach audiences ranging from medical students and resident doctors to pharmacists, optometrists and laser practitioners. I contribute to international work on doctors’ use of social media and professional boundaries, with a particular interest in helping healthcare professionals communicate clearly and respond to misinformation.
