Teledermatology: Transforming Skin Cancer Care

Skin cancer is the country's highest volume cancer type by referral. SWAG is leading the way in introducing remote clinical assessment for suspected skin cancer across our four ICBs - Gloucestershire, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG), Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW), and Somerset. By supporting and funding community image-taking hubs and preparing local NHS Trusts for a new model of care, we’re helping to manage rising referral volumes and improve patient outcomes.

Why Teledermatology?

Teledermatology offers a smarter, more efficient way to manage skin cancer referrals by:

  • Reducing unnecessary outpatient appointments
  • Managing increasing referral volumes in a more efficient way
  • Freeing up clinical capacity and in turn Increasing faster diagnosis and referral-to-treatment performance
  • Improving patient experience with local hubs and fewer hospital visits

Our Regional Work

Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire 

  • Community hubs established across all 20 Primary Care Networks
  • Evaluation shows:
    • Improved image quality
    • 40% discharge rate without outpatient assessment
    • Direct access to ‘see and treat’ clinics for minor procedures

Somerset 

  • Pilot hub launched in November 2025.  Further work to relaunch and roll out across Somerset Foundation Trust’s catchment during the rest of 2026
  • Enhancing existing Advice & Guidance services
  • Community imaging hubs to be set up and supported by trained medical illustrators

Bath & NE Somerset & Wiltshire

  • Community hub networks supporting Bath and Salisbury services in place
  • Bath service launched August 2025 with 100% population coverage achieved in March 2026
  • Salisbury service launched December 2025 with hubs mobilising throughout 2026
  • Acute-led imaging hubs live in Swindon since May 2025

Gloucestershire 

  • High Quality Imaging available in Primary Care and Acute settings
  • Primary Care supported with dermatoscopes and training
  • Acute based imaging managed by Medical Photographers ensuring adherence to professional AHCS (Academy for Healthcare Science) standards

All four systems to be evaluated using an economic model developed with York University to ensure a sustainable, scalable approach to teledermatology.  National audit of telederm metrics to understand level of skin cancer referrals with images as well as outcomes taking place in August/ September 2026

Stay tuned for updates as services evolve.

Patient Information

Information to share with your patients around teledermatology and what to expect:

  • You may be invited to attend a local imaging hub instead of a hospital appointment.
  • Images will be reviewed by a specialist, and you’ll be contacted with next steps.
  • If treatment is needed, you may be referred directly to a clinic for minor procedures.
  • Ask your GP or practice team if teledermatology is available in your area.

Signposting