Dr Toby Chave
GMC number: 4091699
I am a consultant dermatologist, with a substantive NHS post based at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, and a busy private practice located primarily at the Plymouth Nuffield Hospital. I have been a consultant since 2004.
My Background and Training
I grew up in Devon and was educated initially at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton, and then at Exeter School in Exeter. I went to Sheffield University to study Medicine, graduating in 1994 as Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Mb, ChB), and I then completed my pre-registration house jobs in Doncaster.
After this I worked in Australia (Bundaberg in Queensland) for 12 months, rotating through A&E, surgery and medical jobs. I was struck by the incredible sun damage seen in some patients and the huge burden of skin cancer (as well as the unrelenting sunshine!), and this is where I became interested in specialising in dermatology.
Before that however I needed to pass further qualifications (Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, MRCP), and I was fortunate on my return to get a 3 year medical Senior House Officer (SHO) rotation at Wonford Hospital in Exeter, opposite my old school. I went through busy placements in a variety of specialties, and passed the MRCP exams in March 1999. This opened the way for specialisation in Dermatology.
After specialist training in both Cardiff and Leicester I obtained my Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in 2004 and since then have been on the Specialist Register for UK-trained Dermatologists.
As a trainee, I was awarded British Association of Dermatology Travelling Fellowships twice, and the British Society of Dermatological Surgeons Travelling Fellowship to San Diego in California in 2003. I developed a special interest whilst training in skin cancer and skin surgery.
I was appointed as a substantive consultant in Truro in September 2004, and worked there until 2007 when I decided to relocate to Plymouth, to take on the challenge of developing the unit there, which had been struggling after the retirement of both senior dermatologists.
It has been a huge task, but I am proud to have overseen a gradual but very significant overhaul of the dermatology department at Derriford Hospital over the last 14 years. At one point I was the only consultant in post, in a small cramped area of the hospital, with very few nurses to support it. We now have a cohesive unit of 4 consultants, supported by junior doctors, and an excellent diverse team of specialist nurses, and have relocated to our own self-contained unit at Rowan House.
I am also proud to have built up a busy and rewarding Private practice for both insured and self-paying patients across much of Devon and Cornwall.
I was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), in 2013.
During my time as as a consultant I have been (amongst other things):
- Lead clinician for skin cancer for the Trust
- Chair of the skin cancer multi-disciplinary team
- Chair of the Peninsula Skin Cancer Network
- Service line director for dermatology
- Clinical Governance/Audit lead for dermatology
- Honorary Clinical Fellow, Peninsula Medical School
- Educational Supervisor for dermatology trainees
Current memberships
- British Association of Dermatologists
- British Society of Dermatological Surgeons
- European Academy of Dermatology
- International Society for Dermatologic Surgery
- International Dermoscopy Society
- Royal College of Physicians
- Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association
Outside interests
I am married with 4 children and live in Tavistock. As a Devonian I have always been fascinated by Dartmoor and when I do have any spare time I can be found either walking or cycling on the moor. I enjoy both mountain biking and road cycling.
I also love travelling and immersing myself in different cultures (as well as good food and wine!). I am an avid reader of both contemporary fiction and the ‘classics’. I also use any excuse I can to get to London and go to any art exhibitions or plays that interest me.
