Skin Analytics
Vertis Health (formerly SW Healthcare) is working with Skin Analytics to provide a pre-primary care skin lesion assessment service to patients across Worcestershire.
Together, we’re working to provide a fast, effective service using AI technology to analyse skin lesions without needing a GP appointment.
Teledermatology involves a qualified clinician taking a few photographs of a patient’s skin lesion, such as a mole. The photographs are analysed by an AI, before being sent to a dermatologist for further review to decide what treatment the patient needs, if any.
This partnership also aims to reduce the waiting times for appointments and relieve pressures from GP practices. This will provide GPs with more time to focus on other areas of patient care.
Skin Analytics
The clinics we’re operating are in partnership with Skin Analytics, an external company who trialled the artificial intelligence (AI) service in Birmingham and Solihull in 2020 and have seen resounding success. The AI programme, DERM, has been developed to recognise skin cancers and common skin conditions using photographic images. DERM will analyse images of a skin lesion taken using a dermatoscope, which magnifies the skin lesion and allows for a closer look at the affected area.
For more information, including statistics and reliability information, please click the button below to visit the Skin Analytics website.
How to access this service
Patients can be referred to this service via their GP practice. Patients can contact their GP practice reception teams if they have a concerning mole or area of skin. The reception team will take patients through a questionnaire to ensure this service is suitable for them - and if it is, patients will be booked into an appointment while on the phone. If patients are flagged as not being suitable for this service, they will be taken through the usual GP pathway.
What happens during the appointment?
When you arrive at the clinic, you’ll be greeted by a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) or other clinician. HCA’s are qualified clinicians who will take a series of photographs using a dermatoscope – a small, specialised device attached to a mobile phone camera, which magnifies the skin lesion for close inspection. The lens will be pressed gently against the surface of the skin.
The images taken by the HCA will then be analysed by the AI software, and in some cases, as an added safety measure, by a Consultant Dermatologist. You should hear about the outcome of your visit within five working days, either by telephone or by text message – so please make sure your contact details are up-to-date.
The HCA won’t necessarily be able to answer all of your questions on the day, as getting your results takes some time – but if you have questions or concerns after your appointment you can contact your practice.
Before the appointment
When you’re booked in for your appointment, you’ll receive a text message from Vertis Health/SW Healthcare containing a link to our online Patient Information Leaflet. You can also find this below. Please make sure you read this in detail before you attend, as this contains information on the forms of consent you’ll need to provide and other detailed information on this service.
Please ensure that you bring any reading aids (if necessary) to read any leaflets or information provided by staff at the clinic.
If possible, please mark your lesions before your appointment to assist the clinician. This can be done by taking a photograph of the area on your mobile phone, or placing a plaster next to the lesion and drawing an arrow pointing to the affected area of skin.
FAQs
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Your appointment should take no longer than 20-25 minutes. You’ll be asked a few questions by the clinician, who will then take some pictures of the affected area of skin.
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Yes - the clinician will discuss consent with you in detail to ensure you are happy with photographs of your lesion to be taken. You will be required to provide verbal and written consent for the photography.
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Skin Analytics will securely store your medical history data and images with the usual identification information, such as your name and NHS number. The report of your AI assessment will be sent to your GP to be included in your medical records.
To view the full Skin Analytics Privacy Policy, please click here.
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After the photographs are taken, they are analysed by the AI program and, in some cases, a Consultant Dermatologist. This will determine if you are offered further treatment, or referred back to your GP.
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You will receive a call or letter 2-3 weeks after your appointment with the results and the next steps of your treatment.
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There’s a handy ruleset to follow when observing any moles:
Asymmetry - the two halves of the lesion may be different shape or size
Border - The edges of the lesion may be irregular, blurred or notched
Colour - The colour may be uneven across the lesion
Diameter - If your mole is larger than 6mm you may want to get this checked by a healthcare professional
Evolution - Any changes in shape, size, colour or elevation, or any new symptom such as bleeding or crusting should be checked