Skin lesions photo clinic

Your primary care clinician is concerned that you might have skin cancer. They have referred you to a dermatologist (skin specialist) to assess this further. The hospital can assess skin lesions remotely, by reviewing photographs of the skin.

Before your appointment 

You should make sure the photographs can clearly show the area of your skin affected: 

  • Remove jewellery and make up from that area of skin. 
  • If there is a scab or crust on your skin: 
  • soften it by regularly applying an emollient (gentle moisturising) cream to reduce any irritation 
  • soak the area of skin with a clean, warm cloth. The scab or crust may come away easily. 

If the scab or dried material is somewhere on your body that you cannot see, please ask a friend or relative to help you. If the scab does not come away easily, do not attempt to force it. 

During your appointment 

The Health Care Assistant will take three separate photographs of the area of concern on your skin:

  • one to identify the area of the body
  • two close-up photographs. 

If you would like another person to accompany you to your appointment, please ask the member of staff who is doing your appointment. 

After your appointment 

  1. The Health Care Assistant will send photographs of the skin lesion and your clinical information securely to the hospital dermatology department. 
  2. The referral will be reviewed by a dermatologist. 
  3. The hospital will contact you by letter or phone. They will give you a diagnosis or tell you if further assessment is needed. They may provide a plan for treatment, if required.
  4. If you need to attend a hospital appointment after your images are reviewed, the hospital will contact you to book an appointment. 

You will be informed which hospital we are referring you to. If you have not heard from the hospital 21 days after your photo clinic appointment, contact: 

Please do not go to the hospital unless you are contacted by them. The review of the images may appear in your NHS App, but it is not an appointment you need to attend. 

Remote service 

This remote service saves you from having to travel to the hospital for an appointment.