TSJCI Annual Report 2021

Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute Annual Report 2021 10 Section 1.3 Dermatology/Plastic Surgery/Dermatopathology – Skin Cancers 1.3.1 Key Developments during 2021 Dermview Collaboration • In 2021, Dermatology commenced a National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) funded collaboration with a Teledermatology Company, Dermview, to triage the four thousand patients awaiting appointments. This allowed for more efficient and effective management of patient care pathways. As of date of writing, all patients waiting over 18 months have been imaged, triaged and directed to appropriate management pathways. Mohs Micrographic Surgery • The Mohs micrographic surgery service continued to expand. There are now three full time consultants and an International Dermatology Fellow. • As with all cancer specialities in St James, the role of medical scientists in allowing the Hospital to achieve excellence in cancer care, is under threat due to larger problems with training, recruitment and retention. Dermatopathology • The appointment of a Histopathologist with an interest in skin cancer has greatly facilitated the development of the skin cancer services. “Double look” is standard practice for all malignant melanomas. The reputation of the Dermatopathology Department continues to grow nationally and internationally with increasing tertiary referrals for opinions on rarer and difficult skin cancers. Electronic Melanoma Diagnostic and Surveillance Tracing • The development of dedicated melanoma diagnosis and surveillance forms on the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) is ongoing and is scheduled for delivery mid-2022. The Melanoma CNS Leonie Mahon and the Information Management Systems (IMS) department are to be congratulated on many hours of work developing this. It will help ensure patient safety, accurate data for Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and service planning. Adjuvant Therapy for Melanoma • The use of adjuvant therapy in higher risk melanoma will change the role of Medical Oncologists with increasing numbers of patients attending for adjuvant therapy. The demand on this area of the Melanoma service will continue to grow.