The Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have launched a new service aimed at providing quicker skin cancer diagnoses for patients. This service, located at the Warrington and Halton Diagnostics Centre within the Runcorn Shopping City, utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up the process.
One of the first patients to use the service, Stephen Champion from Penketh, praised the system for its efficiency. “I was amazed by the speed of the AI. The fact that you get seen and diagnosed within minutes, instead of needing a follow-up appointment, was great,” he said. He also highlighted the friendly staff and the convenience of the location, noting the availability of free parking.
The rise in skin cancer referrals has placed increasing pressure on dermatology services across the NHS. Since 2022, the dermatology service provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare has been receiving over 300 referrals per month, with many cases resulting in further tests and treatments.
This new partnership with Skin Analytics, an AI technology provider, uses a state-of-the-art system called DERM to assess skin conditions through photographic images. The AI system is highly accurate, with a 99.9% success rate in ruling out melanoma and a 97% sensitivity in detecting skin cancer.
Patients referred by their GPs who are 18 years or older will have their moles or skin lesions photographed at the dedicated ‘Photo Hub Clinic.’ The images are then analyzed by the DERM system, which identifies common harmless conditions quickly, allowing patients to be discharged without seeing a consultant. If the AI detects potentially dangerous skin lesions, patients are given faster access to treatment, with some procedures taking place on the same day.
The service, described as a ‘one-stop clinic,’ is the first of its kind in the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside region. It is also one of the few NHS community diagnostic centres located inside a shopping centre, making it easily accessible for patients.
Dr. Paul Fitzsimmons, joint medical director for both Bridgewater Community Healthcare and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals, explained that skin cancer is the most frequently referred cancer specialty within the NHS. The growing number of referrals has increased the pressure on dermatology services, but the collaboration with Skin Analytics has helped manage this demand with cutting-edge technology.
He added, “This AI technology not only speeds up diagnoses and enables possible same-day treatment but also shows how healthcare can reach communities outside of traditional hospital settings.”
Dan Mullarkey, medical director at Skin Analytics, emphasized the importance of fast and effective skin cancer diagnosis for all patients. “With DERM, we are able to bring dermatology care directly to local communities, making expert care accessible where people already live, work, and shop,” he said.
This initiative marks a significant step in improving access to timely skin cancer care while breaking down traditional barriers to healthcare.
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