Guernsey’s Medical Specialist Group has reported a significant increase in the capacity of its dermatology service since taking over operations from the Committee for Health & Social Care less than a year ago.
The service covers a broad spectrum of conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails, and the MSG says it is currently seeing an average of 80 new patients every month, representing a nearly 40% rise in patient throughput.
The MSG says this growth is down to several key operational changes.
Its changed how cases are categorised and is offering Guernsey’s first dedicated clinic for children, offering age-specific care for younger patients.
Despite a sharp rise in referrals from GPs, the MSG says its managed to stabilise the number of people waiting for appointments by regularly reviewing the list.
Dr Alice Walker, a consultant dermatologist at the MSG, said there is still work to be done, but the team is proud of its work so far.
“Skin conditions can have a real impact on people’s lives, confidence and wellbeing. I am incredibly proud of what our team has achieved since we took on this service; we are seeing more people, treating the right people first and have a specialist clinic for children on the island for the first time.
“There is more to do, but we are absolutely moving in the right direction in the first few months.”
The MSG says its messaging is clear, that no one with an urgent clinical need should wait, and that staff review the waiting list regularly to make sure that remains the case.
Dr Walker and her team are determined to keep building on the progress already made and to give islanders the dermatology service they deserve, she said.
“Since taking on the service we have seen a huge surge in demand, a clear signal of the confidence that GPs and patients have in the quality of the care that we provide.
“Despite this growth in demand, we have seen more patients than before, and stabilised the number of patients waiting for an appointment.”