Clinical Nurse Specialist Dermatology / Foto Fastrack Project

The CNS/CMS post holder will deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role set out in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008.

FotoFastrack will test a novel system using imaging technology to screen over 1000 referrals for patients with non-urgent lesions on the MMUH waiting list. The tech-led innovation will accelerate access to treatment for the small proportion of hidden cancers among this large and ever-increasing cohort of low-risk patients who have been referred in to out rule cancer, while also enabling discharge and removal from the waiting list for the majority of the remainder. The new pathway will be delivered by a CNS with clinical oversight from a consultant, thus de-risking this much-needed tech innovation.

Currently, if a GP identifies a suspicious pigmented lesion, the only option to confirm or rule out cancer is to refer the patient to a dermatologist. If the referral information contains ‘red flags,’ the patient will be triaged as urgent and prioritised for an appointment with a consultant. If there are no ‘red flags’ and the GP is seeking to out-rule a cancer in a low-risk context, the patient will be triaged as ‘soon’ or ‘routine’ and wait for months or even years because of the ever-increasing volume of referrals. Inevitably, cancers will then be found among these long-waiting patients.

New AI-supported skin visualization technologies make it possible to screen for skin cancer by taking high-resolution full-body images and close-up dermoscopic photos of moles and lesions. AI tools assess individual lesions for features associated with skin cancer. The CNS uses the AI technology to screen for skin cancer. A clinician then reviews the findings to confirm the diagnosis and management plan.

FotoFastrack will test the use of these technologies to enable a CNS and consultant team to screen large volumes of referrals rapidly and safely. This, in turn, will expedite access to treatment for the small proportion with skin cancers (~8%) while providing reassurance to and enabling discharge of those that are benign.

Informal Enquiries

Cancer Directorate Nurse manager Tracey Fitzpatrick traceyfitzpatrick@mater.ie

Cancer Directorate Clinical Nurse Manager 3 Sandra Flynn sflynn@mater.ie