PhD Studentship Award – The Christine Orton Memorial Award
Talk TSW – Talking about Topical Steroid Withdrawal in Healthcare Consultations
November 2025
Introducing Our Lead Researcher: Dr Phillipa Bowes
The National Eczema Society is proud to introduce Dr Phillipa Bowes, the Lead Researcher for the PhD project “Talk TSW in Health Care Consultations.”
Background and Expertise
Dr Bowes obtained her medical degree in 2014 and subsequently completed her Foundation and General Practice training in 2019. Throughout this period, she developed a specialist interest in dermatology, particularly in acute dermatological presentations and the assessment of skin lesions through dermoscopy.
Dr Bowes is currently a Lead Urgent Care Doctor at The Royal South Hants Hospital. In this role, she serves as a Dermatology Liaison, reviewing patients presenting with acute or complex dermatological concerns requiring prompt evaluation and management.
The Need for the Talk TSW Project
A key aspect of Dr Bowes’s clinical work involves the management of urgent dermatological conditions, such as Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). Through her direct clinical experience, she has witnessed the considerable physical and psychological distress TSW presentations can cause.
The PhD project “Talk TSW in Health Care Consultations” therefore represents a natural progression of her clinical and academic interests. This vital research aims to provide valuable answers for both patients and health care professionals by supporting patients with their lived experience and array of distressing symptoms, and helping to raise awareness amongst Health Care Professionals. The ultimate goal is to provide better care and outcomes for this patient group.
Academic Contributions
In addition to her clinical role, Dr Bowes serves as a University Tutor in General Dermatology, contributing to postgraduate education. She also writes The Dermatology Research Update Column for the Dermatology Clinical Trials Network (DCTN), which is published quarterly in the Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS) Journal.
May 2025
Awarded to:
Dr Paul Leighton, Dr Laura Howells and Dr Lydia Tutt
Institution: University of Nottingham, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
We are delighted to announce the first-ever PhD studentship funded by National Eczema Society, has been named The Christine Orton Memorial Award.
This pioneering research project, titled “Talk TSW – Talking about Topical Steroid Withdrawal in Healthcare Consultations”, will investigate how people with eczema and healthcare professionals talk about Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)—a growing area of concern in the eczema community.
Led by a team from the University of Nottingham, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences the studentship will explore communication challenges and develop a new consultation tool to support more effective, empathetic, and informed discussions in clinical settings. The goal is to improve healthcare experiences and outcomes for individuals affected by TSW.
Honouring Christine Orton’s Legacy
This award has been established in memory of Christine Orton, founder of the National Eczema Society. Christine’s vision and dedication helped transform public and clinical understanding of eczema. Her legacy continues through our education, advocacy—and now, through research funding to tackle the real-life challenges faced by our community.
We are incredibly proud to support the next generation of eczema researchers in Christine’s name and to continue pushing forward the boundaries of eczema care.