With 19,000 patients supported, we look back on 5 incredible years since Bupa launched a home-based service for skin cancer assessments with Skin Analytics.
It all started at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when access to face-to-face dermatology care was both strained and limited. Bupa reached out to Skin Analytics to see how our technology could ensure their members still had timely access to care.
And with that, our partnership was born.
Together, Bupa and Skin Analytics launched a home-based, skin cancer assessment service that has since grown into a flagship example of digital health innovation for the private medical insurer market.
Trusted by patients, scaled by demand
The initial rollout enabled Bupa members to receive a skin cancer assessment kit by post during lockdown 2020, empowering them to assess suspicious lesions safely and conveniently from home. The kit included a smartphone with a dermatocope attached (a device that acts like a magnifying glass) and instructions on how to take images of the moles or skin lesions of concern. These images were then uploaded by the patient to the Skin Analytics platform for timely assessment, review and diagnosis.
Fast forward to today, 19,000 skin cancer assessment kits have been delivered, and in April 2025 we saw a 95% case increase vs April 2024 – before even reaching the summer peak. Member feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with some even returning handwritten thank you notes and homemade treats alongside their kits. This is further reflected in the service’s satisfaction score which has consistently sat at an average of 9.3/10.
Bupa members say:
“Really great service with amazing turnaround time – I got my results in 2 hours!! Which really helped to reduce my anxiety and worry. I appreciated the detailed feedback which explained exactly what my mole was, rather than a simple yes/no to whether or not I should be referred.”
“The service was amazingly fast from a call with the health advisor within 24 hours to assessment completion along with recommendations within 3 days – unbelievable fast service – very impressed.”
“This service was so quick and efficient, so much more convenient than adding another in-person appointment to my busy schedule – I will be recommending to everyone.”
As demand and positive feedback have grown, so has accessibility; Bupa members can now connect to Skin Analytics either via Bupa’s GP and Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) network or directly through its operational call centre.
Each recyclable kit comes prepaid, and can be returned via any Royal Mail letterbox. This convenience, paired with our seamless remote skin cancer pathway ensures patients receive results with an average turnaround of just 3.8 days.
Naveenn Puri, Medical Director, Bupa UK Insurance, said, “Being part of this journey has been incredibly rewarding. What started as a rapid response to the challenges of the pandemic has grown into a truly innovative, patient-centred service. Our partnership with Skin Analytics has been built on trust, shared purpose, and a commitment to delivering accessible, high-quality dermatology care. Over the years, we’ve listened to our members, refined the service, and scaled it to meet growing demand. We’ve always kept patient experience and outcomes at the heart. It’s a shining example of what’s possible when we combine clinical innovation with compassionate care.”
A partnership that keeps evolving
We’re really proud of the impact Bupa and Skin Analytics have achieved for patients and their dermatology care; together, we’ve extended our service to Bupa Global and Benenden, allowing us to reach and help patients at an international scale.
Neil Daly, CEO & founder, Skin Analytics said, “When we first partnered with Bupa during the height of the pandemic, our goal was simple: ensure that no patient missed the opportunity for early skin cancer detection. Five years on, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how this service has not only scaled but truly transformed the way skin cancer care is delivered. Together, we’ve pioneered a model that proves digital health can be both clinically robust and deeply personal. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and even more excited for what lies ahead.”
Watch this space
From our early days of enabling care during lockdown to today’s high-volume, high-impact service, the partnership between Bupa and Skin Analytics represents what’s possible when healthcare and technology truly come together.
But we’re not finished yet.
On the horizon are some major milestones that reflect our shared commitment to continued innovation and patient care.
Watch this space for pathway enhancements, care in more accessible settings and new product launches – all coming very very soon.