{"id":324014,"date":"2025-12-19T04:26:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T04:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/324014\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T04:26:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T04:26:10","slug":"remote-diagnosis-of-skin-conditions-could-halve-dermatology-waiting-lists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/324014\/","title":{"rendered":"Remote diagnosis of skin conditions \u2018could halve dermatology waiting lists\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new service enabling patients with skin conditions to be diagnosed remotely could cut dermatology waiting lists in half, it has been announced.<\/p>\n

The digital dermatology service enables GPs to securely send images of a patient\u2019s skin to specialists for analysis using a mobile device.<\/p>\n

An initial assessment of the condition is done digitally, and patients are then offered a face-to-face appointment, directed to a more suitable service, or given advice on managing their condition.<\/p>\n

GPs have referred more than 12,000 patients using the service since its national rollout in September.<\/p>\n

It is estimated up to 130,000 dermatology referrals a year could be made this way, cutting demand on dermatology waiting lists by up to 50%.<\/p>\n

Dr Fiona Macdonald, consultant dermatologist and clinical lead for dermatology at the NHS\u2019s Centre for Sustainable Delivery, said: \u201cDigital dermatology helps dermatologists carry out robust referral triage without the patient being present, enabling them to prioritise the most urgent referrals.<\/p>\n

\u201cReferrals with images also allow the option to offer advice and\/or a diagnosis to colleagues in primary care at the point of referral, rather than patients having to wait for an appointment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new system will help support the referral process where appropriate, and patients will still have the choice of whether to include an image.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they choose not to, then the referral will be processed efficiently in the usual way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Around half of dermatology referrals each year are for suspected skin cancer.<\/p>\n

The service means cancer can therefore be ruled in or out more quickly, providing \u201cfaster reassurance for patients who do not have cancer, and earlier diagnosis for those who do\u201d.<\/p>\n

Early melanoma diagnosis is particularly important for patient outcomes, with almost all patients at stage one of the disease expected to live five years or more, compared with just 50% at stage four.<\/p>\n

Health secretary Neil Gray said: \u201cDigital dermatology is a fantastic example of how innovation is improving access to healthcare and delivering our Programme for Government commitments.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt provides faster reassurance for patients who do not have cancer and earlier diagnosis for those who do, potentially leading to better treatment options and outcomes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to thank everyone who has worked hard to deliver this successful national rollout as we continue to harness technology to reform our NHS for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

The national rollout has been funded by \u00a31.8m from the Scottish Government through the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption initiative.<\/p>\n

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