Clinic gets award for skin cancer initiative

STAFF at a Cork hospital are celebrating a special award for establishing a clinic which rapidly diagnoses and treats potentially malignant skin cancer.

The initiative has been so successful that melanoma diagnosis, at one per 22 patients examined, is far higher than the international average.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern presented representatives of the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital with a Public Service Excellence Award at a special reception in Dublin Castle last Friday.

Concern had been expressed about the length of time patients were waiting to see a consultant dermatologist, especially as people with melanomas who get early treatment have significantly improved chances of survival.

Hospital chief executive, Gerard O'Callaghan, consultant dermatologists Fergus Lyons and Michelle Murphy and planning and development strategy manager Margo Topham, formed a working group to address the situation.

They set about improving speed and quality of access for patients and also started an education programme on skin cancer and good sun protection practices.

Funding was secured for the National Treatment Purchase Fund, which allowed them to set up a specialist clinic with adequate staff. The machine is now so well oiled that public patients can been seen within two weeks of a referral from their GP.

Since the specialist Pigment Lesion Clinic (PLC) was opened in the spring of 2003, more than 100 melanomas have been diagnosed, and over 80% were detected and diagnosed early.

Margo Topham explained that the clinic, which is the first of its type in Munster, was set up after hospital executives met with the GP faculty to explain to them the fast-tracking system. Staff at the clinic can remove lesions and carry out a speedy diagnosis.

"On average we are picking up a malignant mole every week. Our pick-up rate for melanoma is one per 22 patients referred. This is far better than the internationally reported experience and reflects the high standard of referral from GPs and their understanding of the aims of the PLC," Ms Topham said.

All patients attending the clinic who are not diagnosed with melanoma are given an information pack on skin awareness to take away.

Ms Topham said that as more and more people take foreign sun holidays, the need for good skin protection is essential.

"Irregularities to look out for in a mole include shape, edge colour and size changes," she added.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach also presented a public service excellence award to Cork City Council for its Black Ash Park and Ride facility the first of its kind in the country.

The latest figures show that 125,000 vehicles and 200,000 passengers used it last year. The facility is now generating a profit.