Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCH) and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) are using the latest in AI technology to provide patients with a swifter diagnosis of skin cancer.
The AI Dermatology Service, which launched on Friday 11 April, will bring a wide range of benefits to patients.
This new venture uses revolutionary medical-grade artificial intelligence called DERM, which recognises skin cancer and common harmless skin conditions using photographic images, resulting in a faster diagnosis.
Using AI will reduce the number of hospital appointments for patients with benign lesions and allow faster care for more urgent cases, with treatment often performed on the same day, at the same location.
In line with wider NHS aims, waiting times will be reduced and a rising demand better met.
The WHH hospital shuttle bus takes patients to the service, which is based at Warrington and Halton Diagnostics Centre at Halton Health Hub, within Runcorn Shopping City. Free on-site parking is also available.
With the creation of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, Paul Fitzsimmons, joint medical director for BCH and WHH, said: “Warrington and Halton Diagnostics Centre is one of only a few government-funded CDCs to be launched in a shopping centre in the country – and the first in Cheshire and Merseyside.
“We are delighted to bring the new AI Dermatology Service to this facility. Through this, we’re not only employing the latest AI technology, which will speed up diagnosis and treatment for our patients, but we’re making it easy for them to access modern diagnostic services outside of a hospital environment.
“This is a great example of how integrating our two organisations brings real benefits to our patients and communities. We have been able to provide them with a quick, effective service in a one-stop environment.”