Oxfordshire GPs pilot telehealth service for psoriasis patients

Published: 10-Jun-2014

Oxford Teledermatology Pilot allows GPs to carry out virtual appointments with a consultant dermatologist, speeding up appointment times and improving medicines management

The adoption of telehealth services by GPs in the UK continues with news that doctors from Oxfordshire are trialling a new system that offers specialist advice to patients with psoriasis.

The Oxford Teledermatology Pilot allows GPs to carry out virtual appointments with a consultant dermatologist, sharing information from patients’ psoriasis reviews and images of their skin via a secure online platform.

The specialist sends an opinion back on each patient within 48 hours, along with advice on changes to treatment or further appointments.

Currently the average wait for a non-urgent referral to see a dermatology specialist in Oxfordshire is six weeks, so the study leaders hope the telehealth system will cut waiting times considerably and improve patients’ health and quality of life as a result.

Dr Jonathan Bowling, consultant dermatologist and honorary senior clinical lecturer at the University of Oxford, said: “Psoriasis must be actively managed and the condition well controlled, so it is vital that people with the condition have regular reviews and are able to easily access specialists when they experience a flare-up.

“Unfortunately this is not always the case and patients often continue to use treatments that are not working for them because, for example, they may be unaware of alternatives.”

Five practices are participating in the pilot, which will run until the end of September.

Dr Steve Bright, a GP in Witney whose practice is taking part, said: “I’m delighted that the first-ever UK psoriasis telehealth initiative is taking place in Oxfordshire.”

“I am pleased to see the NHS trialling new and sustainable ways to provide the best outcomes for patients and to maximise a patient’s time with their GP.”

You may also like