Thousands more people across Essex are getting specialist care for skin conditions closer to home.
The new community dermatology service was set up by NHS Essex and is provided with CHEC. It means more people can be assessed and treated in local clinics instead of going to hospital when it is safe to do so.
In May alone, more than 4,300 people received routine dermatology care in the community. This meant hundreds of people did not need to travel to hospital for their care.
The service is also using technology to help people get specialist advice more quickly.
Through teledermatology, clinicians can review secure photographs of a patient’s skin. In many cases, this means people can get specialist advice, a diagnosis or treatment without needing a hospital appointment.
This is part of wider NHS work to make care easier to access and provide more services closer to where people live.
Since it started last year, the service has helped to:
- provide more care closer to home
- give patients faster access to specialist skin advice and treatment
- reduce hospital appointments that are not needed
- identify people with suspected skin cancer or more serious conditions more quickly
- make sure patients are sent to the right service first time.
Skin conditions affect thousands of people across Essex every year, and we know that timely assessment and treatment can make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing.
Dr Elizabeth Towers, GP Clinical Lead for NHS Essex
Local investment in community dermatology is now helping thousands of patients receive the right care without always needing to travel to hospital. By bringing together specialist expertise, digital technology and community services, we are improving access, reducing unnecessary appointments and helping patients begin treatment sooner.
This is an important step in transforming outpatient care so that services are more convenient, joined-up and focused on what matters most to patients. New ways of working between specialists, GPs and community teams, alongside more investment in diagnostic services, are already helping more people get faster access to care.
Samantha Goldberg, Executive Director of Commissioning for Acute and Adult Mental Health Services for NHS Essex
Over the next five years, we are determined to make health services better in Essex by reducing waits, improving access and providing more joined-up care closer to home.
We’re proud to be working alongside NHS Essex to deliver an integrated dermatology service that is already making a positive difference for patients.
Iwona Ngody, Director of NHS Services at CHEC
By combining consultant-led expertise with innovative digital technology and community-based clinics, we’re helping people access specialist care more quickly while ensuring hospital appointments remain available for those who need them most.
The service brings together GP practices, community teams and hospital skin specialists.
When a GP refers a patient, the service looks at what care they need and where they should receive it.
Depending on their needs, patients may:
- get advice on how to manage their condition
- receive treatment in a community clinic
- have their condition reviewed using photographs
- be referred to hospital for specialist care.
Early results show that more patients are being sent to the right service first time. This is also helping to reduce pressure on hospital clinics and make appointments available for people who need specialist hospital care.
If you notice an unusual or worrying change to your skin, contact your GP practice. Your GP can refer you to the service if needed.