Thousands on dermatology waiting lists as hospitals fail to refer patients to new service

National dermatology waiting lists now stand at 39,979 people. Picture: PA

Potentially-fatal skin cancers are being missed or treatment delayed due to the slow uptake of a private service under contract to the HSE to clear waiting lists, it has been alleged.

One hospital which signed up said that one in five patients it referred were diagnosed with skin cancer, including some with malignant melanomas.