The pathway enables GPs and other NHS clinicians to safely capture high-quality images using the Consultant Connect App and attach them directly to dermatology referrals through Scotland's National Digital Platform (NDP).

Over the past year, the programme has expanded to national level, with all 14 NHS health boards live and actively using the service.

Recent figures show that 535 GP practices have used the application, 1,886 individual clinicians have used the service, 13,082 patient dermatology referrals have been submitted with images attached via the NDP and more than 25,000 dermatology patient sessions have been completed, generating almost 50,000 images to support diagnosis and referral decisions.

As part of the rollout, Consultant Connect introduced an integration with the Community Health Index (CHI) number, the system used across Scotland to check patient details. This integration automatically pulls through important patient data, such as date of birth and full name, supporting accurate record-keeping. A further improvement allows primary care referrers to attach dermatology images directly from the NDP when making a referral to secondary care services.

Stephen Lamb, customer success manager at Consultant Connect, said: ‘This programme represents a significant national first, demonstrating how innovation can be applied at scale to support clinical decision-making. By strengthening the triage process, the pathway is enabling quicker dermatology diagnoses and more timely access to care.'