Meet the Team: Jess and Erin
Welcome to the heart of our clinic. At Experts in Skin & Hair, it's not just our dermatologists who make every visit smooth and reassuring — our reception and practice team play a crucial role in creating a welcoming, organised, and patient-centred environment.
Today, we're introducing two key members of that team: Jess D'Alvarez, Practice Manager and Erin Faulkner, Patient Care Administrator.
Introducing Jess D'Alvarez, Practice Manager
Jess keeps our Brighton clinic running like clockwork, ensuring both patients and staff have the support they need.
How do you make sure everything at the clinic runs smoothly?
There's a lot that happens behind the scenes, things like organising patient records, keeping on top of results, and making sure that information reaches patients in a timely manner. This might not be obvious to patients, but all those little details mean their experience feels smooth and stress-free.
What part of your role most patients don't see but makes a difference?
My job is to make Dr Farrant and Dr Gupta's days as easy as possible. This means handling admin, prepping for clinics, and keeping everything ticking along so they can give patients their full attention. By taking care of the background work, I'm helping them focus on what really matters, which is providing care to our patients.
What do you enjoy most about keeping the clinic organised?
It's a great feeling when the day runs smoothly and clinics run without a hitch, knowing that patients are happy with the service and care we have provided. I'm a bit of an organisation geek and enjoy finding little ways to make our clinic, and the service we provide, flow better.
How do you relax outside of work?
Outside of work, I like catching up with friends over a game of badminton or reading a new book on my Kindle whilst enjoying a hot chocolate! I'm also training for the Brighton Half Marathon for the third year in a row and love a long run along the seafront (weather permitting!).
Introducing Erin Faulkner, Patient Care Administrator
Erin is often the first friendly face patients see at the clinic. Her warm welcome helps put even the most nervous visitors at ease.
How do you make new patients feel comfortable?
I always greet them with a warm smile and a friendly welcome. I make sure they know they're in safe, caring hands and that we're here to make their visit as smooth as possible. Offering a calm, welcoming environment and taking the time to answer any questions really helps patients feel at ease.
What's your favourite part about helping patients?
I enjoy meeting new people and helping them feel comfortable. It's incredibly rewarding to see someone arrive feeling a little nervous and leave feeling reassured and happy with their experience.
How does your experience at Montefiore Hospital help you support patients here?
Working at the Montefiore Hospital in Hove for three years gave me a great foundation in patient care and organisation. I started on main reception, learning the importance of making every patient feel welcome. Later, in outpatients and bookings, I arranged clinics, blood tests, and supported nurses and consultants — all of which gave me strong communication and organisational skills that I now use every day.
How do you and Jess work together?
Jess and I work closely to make sure everything runs smoothly. We communicate throughout the day and support each other with admin and reception tasks. We aim to create a warm, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere for every patient, making sure they feel reassured throughout their visit.
Do you have any tips for patients?
The best tip is to come a little early and bring details of medications or referrals. It helps the doctors understand your needs and ensures the visit feels relaxed and personal.
If a patient is nervous for their first visit, what would you say?
They're in really good hands. Our dermatologists are approachable and take the time to explain everything clearly. And if they're unsure about anything, they can always come to me at reception — I'm happy to help and make sure they feel comfortable while they wait.