Scotland is set to revolutionize the way dermatology referrals are handled, with the rollout of a new national Digital Dermatology Pathway. Using a secure mobile app from Consultant Connect, primary care clinicians can now take high-quality images of patients’ skin conditions at the point of referral, significantly improving diagnosis speed and waiting times. This innovative system is expected to be deployed across all Scottish health boards by Spring 2025.
Fast-Tracking Dermatology Diagnoses with Mobile Technology
Starting with Dumfries and Galloway and Greater Glasgow and Clyde health boards, the Digital Dermatology Pathway leverages the power of mobile technology to enable clinicians to capture detailed images of skin conditions using their phone cameras. These images are then securely uploaded to the National Digital Platform for Health and Social Care, attached to the patient’s referral via the Scottish Care Information (SCI) gateway.
The introduction of digital images as part of the referral process means that dermatology specialists can triage, assess, and even diagnose conditions remotely, eliminating the need for the patient to be physically present for an initial assessment. This approach is set to improve the efficiency of the referral process and reduce the time patients spend waiting for specialist care.
Supporting Primary Care with Streamlined Solutions
Dr. Beth Kerr, a GP locum and primary care clinical lead for the programme, highlighted the app’s ease of use and the immediate benefits it brings to clinicians. The app allows primary care providers to quickly capture images and seamlessly integrate them into the SCI gateway referral system, ensuring that dermatology specialists receive comprehensive and timely information to aid in their diagnosis. According to Dr. Kerr, this system not only benefits primary care teams but also helps enhance the overall patient journey by improving the speed and accuracy of referrals.
The Scottish government has invested £1.8 million in the Digital Dermatology Pathway, providing essential funding through the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) Pathway. This investment supports the integration of innovative digital tools into healthcare and represents a significant step toward modernizing the NHS in Scotland.
Nationwide Rollout and Future Impact
The app was launched at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Tollcross Medical Centre and Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership practices in November 2024, with additional practices scheduled to adopt the technology in late November. Similarly, NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Greencroft and Gillbrae medical practices also went live with the system on November 11, 2024, with further deployment expected to continue across the nation.
Neil Gray, Scotland’s Health Secretary, emphasized the importance of adopting innovations like the Digital Dermatology Pathway, noting that this initiative has the potential to alleviate pressure on dermatology services, which are among the busiest for outpatient appointments. By adopting such tools, the Scottish government aims to ensure that people across Scotland can live longer, healthier lives by improving access to timely and effective care.
A Step Toward Broader Digital Integration
The Digital Dermatology Pathway is part of a wider initiative by the Scottish government to embrace digital healthcare solutions. In October 2024, the government introduced plans for a Digital Front Door platform that aims to integrate both health and social care data and services, offering a more comprehensive digital experience for patients and healthcare providers alike.
With this pathway, Scotland is taking a significant step forward in using technology to enhance patient care, reduce waiting times, and ensure that patients receive the right treatment at the right time.
