A service evaluation of a new nurse consultant-led basal cell carcinoma clinic

Aim To evaluate a new nurse consultant-led basal cell carcinoma (BCC) service at Liverpool Dermatology Outpatients Department. Background In 2012, a new post of Nurse Consultant in Skin Cancer was appointed for dermatology at the Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospital in order to relieve the significant pressure experienced on the skin cancer service. In addition to nurse consultant-led two-week rule clinics, there was a clear need for a quick access specialised pathway for those patients suspected of basal cell carcinoma. A dedicated nurse consultant-led case study design was used. Following Research Ethics Committee approval, data were collected from 12 consecutive new basal cell carcinoma clinics in Liverpool 2012. Information was collected on 118 patients referred by their GP with suspected basal cell carcinoma. Findings The study concluded that the nurse consultant-led basal cell carcinoma clinic provides a coherent, safe, specialist service, encompassing surgical assessment, management and treatment to ensure a streamlined patient-focused pathway. Management of BCC requires a patient- centred approach to care and all patients requiring treatment were offered informed choices.