Healthcare trust provider, Healix, has partnered with Circle Integrated Care to offer employees access to dermatological assessments and referrals amid a rise in waiting times for dermatology appointments.
Circle Integrated Care is part of Circle Health Group, a private hospital provider in the UK.
Users will be able to submit a photo of their skin lesion or mole, which will then be reviewed by a dermatology expert. If a follow up is required, a face-to-face consultation for a biopsy or further treatment can be booked.
More than half of the UK workforce (51%) now want access to private healthcare via their workplace amid growing concerns around access to care, according to recruitment agency, Robert Half.
Ian Talbot, chief executive officer, Healix Health, said: "It's vital that employees have fast access to consultations at a time when pressure on health services persists.
"Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, with incidences of malignant melanoma rising faster than any other common cancer. We also know that early detection can save lives, so giving people the ability to alert healthcare specialists to skin concerns from the comfort of their own home is vital."
The launch of this service follows a rise in waiting times for dermatology appointments across the UK and as availability has been unable to keep pace with the growth in demand, Healix said.
The NHS has set targets for patients with suspected skin cancer to be seen within two weeks, however reports have shown that thousands of people are waiting longer. According to NHS England, 623,000 patients were still waiting for a diagnosis 28 days after an urgent referral between October 2022 and June 2023.
Healix also noted that delays were not just affecting the diagnosis of skin cancer as The British Medical Association (BMA) found only 64.6% of patients were receiving treatment within two months of a cancer screening in September 2023 alone.
Talbot stated: "With employees placing increasing importance on quick access to healthcare and even actively choosing employers based on the benefits they offer, it's important that workplaces are stepping up to offer a wide range of services to cater for all circumstances."
Amanda Phillips, executive director, Circle Integrated Care, said: "Access to fast and effective care is key to achieving the best outcomes for members.
"Giving members the ability to communicate directly with leading skins specialists at a time and place that is convenient to them is vital in the fight against cancer. Moreover, it eliminates the stress and anxiety associated with waiting for answers."
