The number of people needing treatment following dog bite attacks is heading towards a record high, new figures reveal. Latest data released by the NHS show that between April 2022 and November 2022 hospitals recorded 6,244 admissions - which is around 30 a day. If that trend continues until the end of April this year, admissions will top 10,000.

The stats, which were released this week, also indicate it is young children who are suffering the worst injuries in attacks.

Between April 2022 and November last year 2,345 people required surgery to correct dog bite attacks. Of those, 255 were aged four and under; 246 were aged five to nine and 186 were aged 10 to 14.

Common procedures following a dog bite include eyebrow stitches and repairs to eyelids and earlobes.

Experts say the highest incidence of dog bites is in Merseyside, followed by Wakefield, Middlesborough, north-east England, then London.

Two people have already been killed by dogs this year: dog walker Natasha Johnston was mauled to death in Caterham and a four-year-old girl was killed in a back garden in Milton Keynes.

Last year was a record year for deaths with ten people losing their lives in dog attacks.

Commenting on the recent rise Harley Street skin camouflage and scar therapy consultant Vanessa Jane Davies said: “I have seen a significant rise in referrals for children and adults who have been bitten or struck by a dog.

“I treat men and women on a monthly basis for dog attacks, however, it’s often the young children who are at the highest risk of dog attack injuries and they are particularly vulnerable to bites to the face and neck.

“Every case is different, but typically the injuries are permanent and potentially life-changing which requires long-term care both medically and psychologically, often resulting in a fear of dogs, losing confidence to be out and about and requiring Skin Camouflage Services to help with the appearance and management of their scars.

“Children will have rehabilitation support up to becoming an adult to help manage surgical procedures, skin grafts, laser treatment and support to help them adjust to what has happened and their changed appearance.”

The RSPCA said anyone who is concerned about their dog’s behaviour should speak to their vet and a clinical animal behaviourist for advice.

Canine behaviourists and dangerous dog expert Shaun Hesmondhalgh said the rise of pet ownership during the covid lockdown resulted in unscrupulous breeding of animals.
He said: “The NHS may well be reporting a sharp rise in dog related injuries, that is likely to be related to the significant rise in the number of people owning a dog.

“The rise in dog popularity during the pandemic is well publicised and this has resulted in mass breeding for profit.

“Dogs were being bred on a large scale and in some cases crudely. Puppy farming, amateur breeding, designer breeding, and power breeding all arguably contributing to the birth of dogs with underlying health conditions and worrying genetically predisposed inappropriate and aggressive behaviour.

“There is also the matter of dog owners exaggeratedly humanising their dogs, misunderstanding their dogs selective breed traits, and failing to recognise that dogs of any breed require boundaries and limitations.”

Behaviourist Jane Robinson, chair of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, said owners often underestimated the commitment needed to successfully care for a pet dog.

She said: “Dogs are a highly social species but no dog has a moral compass. They don’t know right from wrong.

“Despite having been bred for centuries to live among humans, they are captive animals, they have no choice as to who they interact with and what they do from day to day.

“If we’re expecting dogs to thrive in our complex human society, then we have to set them up for success, educate ourselves as to what’s happening at their end of the lead, guide them to make good choices and reward them when they get it right.

“This all takes commitment, both practically, emotionally and financially.”

Source: Dog Attack Victims Near Record High, NHS Figures Show By Neil Doyle

Covid-19 update - We are delighted to welcome you to your face-to-face consultation!
 
As Britain marches forward with an unprecedented vaccination programme and the eventual appearance of some much-needed sunshine, we can begin to look forward to a summer that more closely resembles ‘normal’. That said, whilst we embrace that the Covid-19 risk is currently receding in the UK, it has not gone away and we must proceed towards a relaxation of precautions with care. 
 
Your wellbeing and that of our team continues to be our priority. We would like to reassure our patients and referrers that we continue to adhere to the strictest Covid-19 precautions at all of our clinics:  Ten Harley Street, London, The Broad Street Practice Stamford, our GP Practice in Harrogate and hospital locations. Our team is also encouraged to take up their vaccination offer as soon as it is available to them and those with close patient contact have regular lateral flow tests.

You will need to complete our Covid-19 screening questionnaire sent to you by email prior to your appointment to assess any issues that may put you at greater risk or to determine whether you should possibly take a test before you attend. Please ensure you are well for you, but most importantly free of potential covid symptoms before you attend your appointment, you will be required to complete a health declaration on the day.  
 
You should be aware of and be willing to comply with our policy regarding face coverings, hand washing and social distancing. ​If you have an authorised exemption from wearing a face covering, we will need you to provide evidence of this.
 
We are asking you to follow just a few rules to continue to keep each other safe. If you have any questions or are unsure about something, please do contact Sue Ward on
020 467 8466 who will be happy to help. We look forward to seeing you very soon!

Skin Camouflage Services has a proud reputation for providing expert medical skin camouflage to those effected by visible skin differences in the UK at Ten Harley Street in London’s premier medical quarter since 2007. What you may not realise this that we have also been providing the same excellence with compassion for a host of international patients during that time.

Our international patients reach out to us for help in many ways. Whether that be self-referral, referrals by clinicians overseas familiar with our work and where treatment is Embassy funded. We know that access in medical skin camouflage is sadly lacking in so many people’s home countries. Even during this year of Covid 19 restrictions all over the world, we have continued to receive enquiries about treatment from as far away as Argentina, Los Angeles, New York, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, India, South Africa, Australia, and Europe to name but a few!

With Covid 19 international restrictions making it difficult to travel to London, we have been surprised by the volume of international patient enquires we have continued to receive. It occurred to us that while we have all had our lives impacted by Covid 19  this has also been a time for reflection and a time for many to focus on how we want to live when we get through this.

The skin conditions our enquirers would like help with are as varied as the countries from which they hail!  They include Melasma, Vitiligo, Rosacea, Hypo and Hyper pigmentation following injury, including scarring from surgery, trauma, and burns. We also receive a high number of enquiries from those looking for help with managing their scarring following self-harm as they move forward with their lives. We know this last year of Covid 19 restrictions and anxieties has been particularly hard for many. All of these visible skin differences impact the way a person faces their world, wherever in the world…and they are all conditions we can help with.

Like to know more?  We can arrange an initial, confidential video consultation to assess your skin camouflage needs.  We can then begin planning the best bespoke treatment options ahead of your appointment here in the UK.

• Step 1. Book your International Patient Video Consultation from anywhere in the world to discuss and plan your skin camouflage needs ahead of your trip to the UK.  Please note, actual skin camouflage colour matching and practical / tuition cannot be conducted remotely, for this you must proceed to Step to 2.
• Step 2. Proceed to book your skin camouflage appointment at 10 Harley Street London. 

We are a wholly independent practice with world class products available which means we can select the best product and technique for your individual needs.

In addition to the more traditional skin camouflage creams and pigments we can also provide help where scarring is indented /ridged or around prosthetic margins with topical silicone dermal fillers.

We are also proud to be able to now announce that our founder and expert lead, Vanessa Jane Davies is the only Skin Camouflage Expert in the UK to be certified to provide a revolutionary, long lasting ‘second skin’ technique suitable for a number of skin conditions and injuries. 

Take the first step… book your International patient appointment video consultation at 10 Harley Street London.