Our longstanding NHS partner, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CWFT), are now deploying DERM to identify and discharge patients with benign lesions, without validation from their dermatology team.
Across our partnership, CWFT have led the way for AI in dermatology, forming national conversations, creating guidance, transitioning from pilot to standard practice, and now serving as a blueprint for other healthcare systems across the globe to follow suit.
In doing so, CWFT will be able to discharge and reassure patients with benign lesions more quickly whilst releasing up to 30% of appointments with consultants for patients with skin cancer and inflammatory skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis.
CWFT first partnered with Skin Analytics in 2022 to implement DERM into the urgent suspected skin cancer (USSC) pathway at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. From the launch of the initial pilot, the service has assessed over 10,000 patients and has since become standard practice and expanded Trustwide to West Middlesex University Hospital. The service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital was also shortlisted for a 2024 HSJ Award earlier this year, recognising an outstanding contribution to healthcare, with a further two nominations this month for the 2025 HSJ Partnership Awards.
The evolution of the service and partnership is underpinned by extensive post-market surveillance and health economic modelling which continues to show enhanced efficiency and clinical value from the implementation of DERM.
DERM works by assessing and classifying images of moles and skin lesions and is trained to classify the most common malignant (cancer), pre-malignant (pre-cancer), and benign (harmless) skin lesions. Depending on DERM’s assessment, there are two possible management outcomes:
- For patients with suspected benign lesions, DERM confirms ability to discharge. Patients have their results communicated to them and are discharged by CWFT.
- For patients with suspected malignant or premalignant lesions, the case is immediately available for a CWFT Dermatologist review.
Using DERM to discharge patients with benign lesions without validation from dermatology teams has been supported and evidenced by recent independent research commissioned by NHSE’s Outpatient Recovery and Transformation Programme (OPRT) team, Evaluating Pathways for AI Dermatology in Skin Cancer Detection by Edge Health .
Based on findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis of all studies involving consultant dermatologists up to April 2024, DERM’s performance was shown to be at least as good as dermatologists. Edge Health also noted that in February 2024, NHS England clarified that any AI technologies intended for use as autonomous diagnostic devices need either UKCA Class IIa or CE Class III certification. To date, DERM is the only Artificial Intelligence as a Medical Device with the necessary evidence base supporting its safety and effectiveness to satisfy the stringent regulatory standards for clearance at this level.
Through this enhanced and safe pathway, CWFT aims to accelerate the diagnosis and management of skin cancer, whilst simultaneously improving outcomes and patient experiences.
Roger Chinn, Chief Medical Officer at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation Trust said:
“We are pleased to launch this innovative AI pathway for skin cancer. This technology represents a significant advancement in our ability to diagnose and manage skin cancer more effectively, allowing our specialist dermatologists to spend time with more urgent cases sooner – ultimately saving lives and improving the patient experience.”
Dr Dan Mullarkey, Medical Director at Skin Analytics said:
“I’m so proud of Skin Analytics’ partnership with CWFT. We’ve gone from research to pilot, and now using DERM (AIaMD) as standard practice. Over the past 3 years we’ve worked closely together in an iterative manner that has allowed us to learn and optimise efficiency, ensuring a safe pathway. The data speaks volumes about DERM’s performance, but the true value lies in its impact on patient care. By leveraging our regulated AI tool to support the safe discharge and earlier reassurance of patients, we’re transforming dermatology services that are grappling with increasing referral volumes. This frees up critical capacity for patients who urgently need specialist care. This is a fantastic milestone and a collaboration that paves the way for other NHS organisations to confidently follow suit.”
More on Skin Analytics’ partnerships.
Skin Analytics has been supported by the CW Innovation programme, which is led jointly by CW+ and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and looks for ideas and innovations that support the everyday care of patients. The CW Innovation team has worked alongside colleagues in the dermatology service at the Trust, providing expert advice and guidance from the earliest stage of the Skin Analytics project.