Written question WQ98241

At present, mole mapping services are not routinely available.

Dermatology and skin cancer services focus on clinical assessment supported by teledermoscopy and digital imaging where clinically appropriate. A national teledermoscopy programme was rolled out across all health boards in 2024, enabling dermoscopy images to be captured and reviewed by appropriately trained clinicians.

Dermatologists are not recruited specifically to undertake teledermoscopy – it is part of routine dermatology practice delivered by trained clinicians alongside face‑to‑face care.

Dermoscopy is a clinical skill and is typically undertaken as part of wider dermatology or suspected skin cancer assessment and is not reported as a separate appointment type.

The Welsh Government recognises the importance of timely access to dermatology expertise to support early diagnosis of skin cancer. We are strengthening capacity through a skill‑mix approach that supports the use of dermoscopy by a wider range of appropriately trained clinicians. This includes the national teledermoscopy programme and the rollout of teledermoscopy equipment in primary care. This started in Powys Teaching Health Board where practices were provided with CASIO dermoscopy cameras, which enable GPs practice staff to easily take images and share them with hospital consultants. The initial data from seven practices in north Powys showed that from 216 patients referred to dermatology with a dermatoscope image found:

· 38% were discharged after remote review

· 49% needed to be reviewed face-to-face were booked into a one-stop treatment clinic.

This project is being rolled out to all health boards where GP practices have expressed an interest in using these cameras.

These approaches help make best use of specialist expertise and improve access to timely assessment across Wales.