More than 40 Members of the Scottish Parliament and parliamentary staff met yesterday at Holyrood with the British Association of Dermatologists, Skin Conditions Campaign Scotland (SCCS), and leading dermatology support groups, to raise awareness around skin disease and to discuss the current state of Scottish dermatology services.

1.2 million people, a quarter of the population, visit their GP with a skin issue every year in Scotland – these visits account for around one in five of all GP consultations. This results in more than 100,000 patients a year visiting Scottish dermatology departments. Many of these departments are not fully staffed, with around 22 per cent of dermatologist posts in the country unfilled.

Scotland also has an increasing skin cancer problem, with more people developing skin cancer than all other cancers combined, and numbers are on the rise.

Across Scotland, around 50,000 people are referred to hospitals annually for possible skin cancers. The number of people in the UK developing melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) each year has risen from around 1,800 in the mid-1970s to over 15,000 today.

MSPs attending the event were offered a free education session on checking their skin for signs of skin cancer, and were able to speak directly to patients, clinicians and charities about the issues they face and how politicians can help.

Maree Todd MSP, Highlands and Islands, said: “The event provided lots of really good information about skin cancer and other skin lesions. Skin conditions are visible so can be quite disfiguring. As well as suffering the disease, folk suffer stigma and discrimination.”

Dr Colin Morton, British Association of Dermatologists representative for Scotland and consultant dermatologist at the Stirling Royal Infirmary said: “I want to thank the MSPs and everyone else who attended the event. It’s important that patients, health care professionals and policy makers come together to discuss these issues with one another. If we work together we can address the problems that Scottish dermatology faces, from the rising tide of skin cancers to insufficient numbers of dermatologists to treat them.”

Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, said: “I’ve learnt that there is a shortage of dermatologists that’s causing worrying waiting times.”

Over 40 MSPs and parliamentary staff attended the event*, which was sponsored by Clare Haughey MSP.

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Notes to editors:

MSPs attending the event included:
Graham Simpson MSP, Central Scotland: “I’ve learnt that there is a shortage of dermatologists that’s causing worrying waiting times.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP, Cunninghame North: “Quality of life for patients is crucial for many patients with dermatological conditions.”
Annabelle Ewing MSP, Mid Scotland and Fife
Tom Arthur MSP, Renfrewshire South
Anas Sanwar MSP, Glasgow
Clare Adamson MSP, Central Scotland
Maree Todd MSP, Highlands and Islands
Rhoda Grant MSP, Highland and Islands

For more information please contact the media team: comms@bad.org.uk, 0207 391 6084. Website: www.bad.org.uk.

About us:
The British Association of Dermatologists is the central association of practising UK dermatologists. Our aim is to continually improve the treatment and understanding of skin disease. For further information about the charity, visit www.bad.org.uk

Skin Conditions Campaign Scotland represents the needs of patients and grass roots charities working to support people with skin conditions. We work to raise awareness of skin conditions, to increase access to appropriate services for patients and to provide training for health professionals in Scotland. For further information about the charity, visit www.skinconditionscampaignscotland.org