NHS boards throughout the UK are utilizing a revolutionary know-how to present GPs entry to fast recommendation from guide dermatologists.

Teledermatology (telemedicine and dermatology) know-how permits GPs to take, retailer and ahead pictures and information on to specialist NHS dermatology specialists for pre-referral recommendation and steerage.

Consultant Connect’s PhotoSAF know-how is the UK’s most generally used teledermatology platform, protecting over half of the NHS throughout England, Scotland and Wales. 3,500 NHS organizations, together with GP practices and Trusts, use the service.

GPs and different clinicians take pictures of sufferers’ pores and skin utilizing the PhotoSAF app and share these with dermatology specialists,who can determine issues and supply recommendation on the most effective subsequent steps for the sufferers.

Over two-thirds of affected person circumstances keep away from pointless secondary care appointments on common. This means 550,000 affected person circumstances have benefited from the platform getting used. 

The service can work with a wide range of dermatology companies, akin to grownup dermatology, kids’s dermatology and the “two week wait” pores and skin most cancers pathway. Photos will be shared immediately inside the app if the Photo Advice and Guidance (A&G) is enabled. Photos may also be shared utilizing native referral methods or direct to a secondary care pathway. 

Since it was first launched in 2017, over 2 million dermatology pictures have been taken utilizing the PhotoSAF app. Usage of the tech has elevated 2,400% in 2023, in comparison with 2019.

The platform already integrates instantly into major care affected person information in England (name actions, pictures and messages) and integrates with the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). 

It means GPs gained’t must manually course of the referral, releasing up worthwhile medical and administrative time and making certain correct documentation of sufferers’ situation / concern. This saves the NHS round £16 million.

PhotoSAF teledermatology is already having an enormous influence on sufferers, clinicians and the NHS. It implies that sufferers get the therapy they want shortly, usually with out having to go to hospital. We’re not stunned at how utilization has exploded, it’s one other instance of the NHS making pioneering use of know-how to enhance take care of taxpayers.”

Jonathan Patrick, CEO, Consultant Connect

Dr Emamoke Ubogu, GP and associate at Swan Medical Centre mentioned: “What stood out to me when I initially used it was getting advice from dermatology experts. As a GP, our training in dermatology is quite limited unless you undergo training to become a GP with a special interest in dermatology. This is why being able to communicate with a dermatologist is so helpful. The specialist often only needs to see photos in addition to the medical history in order to make a diagnosis.”