Cheshire & Merseyside ICS, along with four acute trusts in Liverpool, Wirral and Cheshire, have launched an initiative aiming to reduce pressure on primary and secondary care services through a suite of new teledermatology technology.
Made possible by National Teledermatology Investment Programme (NTIP) funding alongside a partnership with Cinapsis, the solution consists of a smartphone-compatible Dermatoscope, a connected app and a supporting digital platform.
It works by allowing GPs to use their own phones to capture clinical images of moles and other skin lesions, in a data-compliant manner the company said. Through the app, the images can be referred to a secondary care specialist to review the case via the platform, with the images and outcomes updated in the patient record through NHS e-RS and EMIS integration.
Results indicate that since the Cinapsis technology and services were launched in the region, 49% of cases submitted to the platform are successfully managed with advice and guidance alone, and all patients entering the cancer-suspected Two Week Wait pathway are correctly referred.
Dr Stephanie Gallard, GP & Primary Care Lead for Elective Dermatology within Cheshire and Merseyside Health & Care Partnership, said: “Now that I can use the Cinapsis SmartReferrals platform to manage patient referrals and access specialist second opinions within days, I’ve been able to work more efficiently and treat patients more effectively.
“The entire referral process is now faster and more accurate: this means that my patients receive the right care, first time around. Because all the information and actions are automatically synced to the ERS, it’s easy for me to monitor the patient’s condition and make sure that nothing slips through the net.”
The solution has been launched to support 228 GP practices.
