Timeliness of diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma with dermatology, general practice, plastics surgery collaboration – are we meeting standards?

Introduction Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer with high burden in New Zealand. MelNet Quality Statements (2021) guide the timeliness investigations and management for melanoma patients, who might experience long delays waiting treatment.Aim To assess compliance diagnosis treatment at Waikato Hospital primary care situ (MIS).Methods This retrospective clinical audit patients referred via Suspected Skin Cancer (SSC) teledermatology pathway between June 2020 2022, histologically confirmed as having or MIS. Time intervals elements service were analysed.Results For 43 melanomas 105 MIS, across all services was poor, except response rates (100% compliance). From referral to first (Statement 2.1.1), 50% general practice 7.7% Hospital. teledermatologist biopsy 2.1.3), 65.2% hospital plastics department. Histopathological reporting also identified.Discussion Long likely reflect system failures (such inadequate funding human resources) increasing cancer. In contrast, provided quicker diagnostic biopsies surgical treatments melanoma.