Introduction

Skin conditions are the most common reason for patients to present in primary care. Around one in four patients visit their GP with skin problems each year. Many skin conditions are long term, with significant morbidity and requiring high levels of self-care. Skin cancer incidence and dermatology referrals are rising with high demands on secondary care services and increasingly long delays for dermatology specialist review.

Who is the Dermatology Toolkit for?

This evidenced-based resource aims to be easy to use for primary healthcare teams in the UK to support them with their learning and help them build confidence when caring for patients suffering from skin conditions. People affected by skin conditions and their carers can directly access or be signposted by healthcare professionals to sources of information and support, and it is suitable for commissioners of services for people suffering from skin conditions.

This Dermatology Toolkit was developed in partnership with a stakeholder group comprising of 13 members including; GPs, GPs with extended roles in Dermatology, Dermatology consultants, a Dermatology Nurse, a patient representative, committee members of the Primary Care Dermatology Society and representatives of a commissioning organisation.