NHS South East to roll out AI skin cancer detection tool

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 16:19 · Archive

NHS England South East is deploying an AI tool to analyse skin lesions and prioritise cancer cases, starting this autumn across 18 hospitals.

NHS England South East is deploying an AI tool called DERM, developed by Skin Analytics, to transform dermatology care across the region. The rollout will begin this autumn across 18 acute trusts and will be the largest deployment of autonomous medical AI in the NHS.

The move responds to a significant increase in urgent suspected skin cancer referrals, which have risen by around 170 per cent over the past decade. Dermatology now receives more urgent suspected cancer referrals than any other specialty in England. However, only around six per cent of referrals through the urgent suspected skin cancer pathway are confirmed as cancer.

The AI tool analyses dermoscopic images to support clinical triage. Patients with benign lesions can be safely discharged from the urgent pathway, while cases identified as pre-cancerous or cancerous are reviewed by a dermatologist. South East modelling suggests that up to one third of urgent skin cancer referrals could be safely discharged before a patient's first outpatient appointment using DERM.

Daghni Rajasingam, regional chief medical officer for NHS England South East, said the technology would allow many patients to receive reassurance sooner while enabling those who need further investigation to be prioritised for specialist care. The rollout will also free up thousands of hours of clinical time for teams to focus on patients with more complex needs and increase capacity for additional appointments.

How it is being reported

• AI skin cancer tool to transform NHS care across South EastAn AI-powered skin cancer tool is set to transform dermatology care across the South East.Oxford Mail · 10 Oct, 16:12
• AI skin cancer tool to transform NHS care across South EastAn AI-powered skin cancer tool is set to transform dermatology care across the South East.Oxfordshire Guardian · 10 Oct, 16:12

In this story: NHS England South East · Skin Analytics · DERM · Daghni Rajasingam

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