Team behind skin cancer safety improvement tool receive national recognition
UHDB's Skin Cancer multi-disciplinary team (MDT) have developed a new patient tracker tool to improve the surveillance and treatment of melanoma and high-risk squamous cell carcinoma - two common types of skin cancer.
The innovative tool maps out a patient's cancer care and surveillance pathway, and supports with the scheduling of future appointments. This means patients can have a clearer understanding of what to expect throughout their cancer journey from an early stage.
The tracker is improving patient safety and providing greater assurance, while giving specialist colleagues clearer oversight of patients on the skin cancer pathway and help them manage complex surveillance plans.
The project is also intended to improve communication and partnership between patients and the specialist teams involved in their care. By helping patients understand when their appointments are due, the tracker aims to reduce the number of missed appointments, known as ‘do not attends’ (DNAs). This could help release capacity in specialist cancer clinics and support quicker access to care for patients.
The project, 'Right Follow-up, Right Time', was named as a finalist at this year's Excellence in Patient Care Awards, organised by the Royal College of Physicians, in the Sustainability category.
'Right Follow-up, Right Time' was co-led by Dr Maulina Sharma, Consultant Dermatologist and Specialist Skin Cancer MDT Lead, and Dr Andrew Whitehead, Resident Doctor (Internal Medical Trainee) - and Dr Whitehead says the recognition was a testament to the commitment of colleagues across the team - and the potential benefits for patients.
"Being recognised as a finalist in the Excellence in Patient Care Awards means a great deal to us. This was never a one-person project - it reflects the hard work, care and commitment of the whole Skin Cancer MDT, and I'm really proud of what we've achieved together for our patients."
The Royal College of Physicians' Excellence in Patient Care Awards recognise outstanding innovation, improvement and leadership in patient care. You can find out more about the 2026 awards on the RCP website >.
You can also read about how funding from Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity is supporting improved care for patients with skin cancer at Queen's Hospital Burton, with the purchase of a new Multilite Photodynamic Therapy machine >