A pilot programme combining AI and teledermoscopy with the aim of diagnosing and treating people with skin cancer earlier is underway in North Lancashire and South Cumbria, and is hoped to enable clinicians to “review more suspected cancer cases in a shorter space of time”.
In partnership with medical technology company Skin Analytics, clinicians from University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) will use an AI technology called DERM to analyse images of skin lesions, to help support decisions on whether further examination is required in clinic.
DERM is currently in use across 13 NHS trusts, and uses machine learning and AI image analysis technology to identify cancerous lesions. Clinical trials and real-world testing have found that, when identifying melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, DERM has “similar accuracy to dermatologists whilst also identifying seven out of every 10 benign lesions that do not require specialist input”. The trust is hopeful that this will mean “faster treatment for patients with skin cancer and avoid unnecessary hospital appointments for those who don’t”.
Patients referred for suspected skin cancer to Royal Lancaster Infirmary or Furness General Hospital will benefit from the new pathway.
Dr Robert Burd, consultant and lead for dermatology at UHMBT, said: “With the rate of skin cancer rising at UHMBT, our mission is clear: we need to explore better digital solutions to fast-track skin cancer diagnoses and effectively manage our dermatology resources. Ultimately, our goal is to reduce patient wait times and ensure timely interventions. Everyone, whether suspected of cancer or not, deserves prompt and efficient care.”
In related news, NHS England has published a roadmap with the aim of accelerating the roll-out of teledermatology, by setting out practical steps that systems can take to ensure implementation of a “efficient, safe and effective” teletermatology service, including opportunities to improve integration and prepare for the introduction of artificial intelligence in skin lesion pathways.
Also from the region, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust has published its new digital strategy, highlighting priorities around utilising technology to improve core clinical systems, empowering patients, advancing the use of information, promoting seamless system-wide working, improving efficiency, and developing safe and secure systems.
