Quality standard

Quality statement 2: GPs managing low-risk basal cell carcinoma

Quality statement 2: GPs managing low-risk basal cell carcinoma

Quality statement

GPs who manage low‑risk basal cell carcinoma, including GPs with a special interest (GPwSI), maintain and audit records of their caseload.

Rationale

Low-risk basal cell carcinoma can sometimes be managed by GPs in the community, which can be more convenient for patients. Treatment in the community can also frequently be provided at a lower cost and free up capacity in hospitals. However, it is essential that this is balanced with ensuring that care offered in the community is as safe and effective as that in hospital. Maintaining and auditing records of their caseload can help in demonstrating competence.

Quality measures

Structure

Evidence of local arrangements to ensure that GPs who manage low‑risk basal cell carcinoma, including GPwSI, maintain and audit records of their caseload.

Data source: Local data collection.

Process

Proportion of GPs managing low‑risk basal cell carcinoma, including GPwSI, who audited their caseload within the past 12 months.

Numerator – number in the denominator who audited their caseload within the past 12 months.

Denominator – number of GPs managing low‑risk basal cell carcinoma, including GPwSI.

Data source: Local data collection.

Outcome

a) Proportion of skin lesions excised by GPs and GPwSI in dermatology and skin surgery that are subsequently confirmed as low‑risk basal cell carcinomas.

Data source: Local data collection.

b) Patient safety incidents reported related to removal of basal cell carcinomas in primary care.

Data source: Local data collection.

What the quality statement means for service providers, healthcare professionals and commissioners

Service providers (GP practices) ensure that GPs managing low‑risk basal cell carcinoma, including GPwSI, maintain and audit records of their caseload.

Healthcare professionals (GPs and GPwSI) managing low‑risk basal cell carcinoma maintain and audit records of their caseload.

Commissioners (NHS England and clinical commissioning groups) ensure that GPs who manage low‑risk basal cell carcinoma, including GPwSI, maintain and audit records of their caseload.

What the quality statement means for patients and carers

People who are having treatment from a GP for a type of skin cancer called low‑risk basal cell carcinoma receive treatment that is safe and effective.

Source guidance

Definitions of terms used in this quality statement

Low-risk basal cell carcinoma

Low-risk basal cell carcinoma is defined as set out in 'Models of care' in NICE's guidance on improving outcomes for people with skin tumours including melanoma.

Competence in managing low-risk basal cell carcinoma

NICE's guidance on improving outcomes for people with skin tumours including melanoma outlines criteria for assessing competence and accrediting practitioners.