RuthAnn Fanstone

BSc (Hons) MSc PhD MCSP HCPC

Physiotherapist & Clinical Scar Specialist

Dr. RuthAnn Fanstone has worked in four of the biggest burn and plastics services in the UK, working as the lead physiotherapist in three of those units.  

She helped set up The London Scar Clinic, focusing on developing a multi-disciplined team to deliver optimum patient outcomes. Dr. RuthAnn Fanstone has recently completed her PhD in the risk factors for burn scar contracture. 

Dr. Fanstone’s passion for burns and scars treatment has taken her extensively to learn, teach and work around the world; she has gained experience from some of the leading burn services in the world through internships at The Shriners, Galveston, Harborview, Seattle and Le Ster Centre for Rehabilitation of Burn Injuries in Lamalou France. She set up The Katie Piper Foundation Burn Rehabilitation service, which offers pioneering treatments and models of service delivery for burn survivors; she remains involved with the charity. 

Dr. Fanstone also has significant experience and interest in training and education in burns care. She has designed and delivered numerous courses in burns and scars treatment nationally and internationally. Dr. Fanstone, along with her colleagues, has pioneered Scar Academy UK; she has a track record of implementing new scar / burn rehabilitation treatments and models of education and service delivery. Dr. RuthAnn Fanstone is an avid follower of recent publications in scar/burn management and is the Managing Editor of the medical journal Scars, Burns & Healing. 

Dr RuthAnn Fanstone has an MSc in Health Service Management from the University of London (UCL) and further qualifications in international health consultancy; she has worked/trained in 14 countries throughout her career (so far!). Her main interest is the prevention and treatment of scars, burn rehabilitation and emerging and innovative strategies to improve outcomes for people with scars. Dr. RuthAnn Fanstone is a member of the British Burn Association and the International Society of Burn Injuries (ISBI), and she serves on the rehabilitation committee of the ISBI. She is also a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and registered with the Health and Care Professional Council.

Dr Fanstone can treat scars that are very recent (including very recently healed wounds/incisions) and scars that are years old. Her skills include scar assessment, reduction of scar pain, scar massage (manual and LPG), scar and burn rehabilitation, and advice on silicone, creams and pressure therapy.