What is happening?
A pilot of a new evidence based National Clinical Guideline and e-referral form. The guideline is called ‘GP Guideline for the referral of patients with high risk squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)’
Why?
To establish if the guideline will help GPs in determining which patients with symptoms suspicious of a high risk SCC require referral to secondary care. This will be accompanied by an electronic referral form, based on the guideline, to facilitate easy and timely patient referrals.
When and where?
- For GPs who routinely refer to: Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
- Starting: Monday 14th July 2025
Will anything change?
The existing PLC referral form for suspected melanoma will have a new option to refer patients with suspected high risk SCC. Data will be prospectively collected for all suspected skin cancer referrals for the pilot.
Do I do anything differently?
The pilot specialist e-referral form will come into the hospital via Healthlink in the same way. Processing and triage of the form should continue as usual. Management of patients to continue as normal.
For more information on this pilot contact guidelines@cancercontrol.ie
Last updated on: 09 / 07 / 2025