SKIN Clinical Network

Clinical Lead: Mr James Halpern (WHT), Mr. Aaron Wernham (WHT), Project Manager: Leanne Bood (BCPC)

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK with dermatology services receiving more urgent referrals for suspected cancer than any other speciality. In recent times this has been exacerbated by the Covid Pandemic with the demand for hospital based dermatological services following the first wave increasing rapidly.

Consequently, the two key challenges that the SKIN Clinical Network set out to address were:

  1. Access to services as a result of the ‘pent up’ demand, and
  2. Deteriorating cancer health outcomes predominantly as a consequence of a delay in presentation.

The SKIN clinical network identified, agreed, and progressed a number of key priorities to address these challenges, with some very positive outputs achieved as follows:

  1. The development of one-stop clinics
  2. Teledermatology
  3. The provision of Mohs surgery within the Black Country
  4. Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) workforce

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead to the new financial year, there is much to be proud of, and a positive platform to build on. Our emerging focus will seek to:

  • Complete the roll-out of Teledermatology service within the Black Country and fully embedded the service (Q4 2023-24)
  • Complete the enabling building works for Mohs’ and the service will be fully mobilised (Q2 2023-24)
  • Reduce future workforce challenges within Dermatology by resolving the disparities within the CNS workforce linked to job descriptions, bandings, expected duties and clear progression (Q3 2023-24)
  • Fully evaluate the benefits of the Teledermatology and One-stop-shop services (Q4 2023-24).
  • Review/refine, and co-produce with primary care up to 30 SKIN guidelines which support better managing referrals into the acute care system, and seek their commissioning by the ICB (Q3/Q4 23-24).

More Information

You can read more about the SKIN Clinical Network in the BCPC Annual Report 2022-23.