A new quality standard published by NICE says that GPs should urgently refer people with suspected malignant melanoma for an appointment and sets out the key areas where skin cancer services need to improve.
Data shows that 29% of malignant melanomas were still being referred to secondary care via the standard GP referral in 2013, which in some Trusts was between four and six weeks. The standard makes it clear that GPs should refer people with suspected malignant melanoma for an appointment within two weeks. It recommends that GPs who remove low-risk basal cell carcinomas should maintain and audit records of their caseloads.
