Community Based Minor Skin Surgery Service
Service Quality Performance Report
April 2025 – March 2026

Introduction

The community minor surgery service is provided by Dr Martin White, GPwER in minor surgery. Supported by Fergal Marlborough, Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Head and Neck surgeon based in Newcastle upon Tyne.  Dr David Brigham, GPwER and Deborah Bradley, Advanced Operating Practitioner, also assist with running clinics each month.

The service is provided from Maryport Community Hospital, Carlisle Healthcare South, Cockermouth Community Hospital and Keswick Hospital.

Bookings are via NHS E-Referral service following GP referral, though the majority of patients are assessed first in the community dermatology service before being listed for their procedure.

A photograph of the lesion is taken in the dermatology clinic and attached to the patient records where appropriate, and triaged by Dr White who allocates the time required for surgery and the clinician to perform the operation.

Any benign lesions have to meet evidence based criteria before listing for surgery:

• Well documented evidence of significant pain
• Recurrent infection
• Subject to recurrent unavoidable trauma leading to bleeding
• Uncertain diagnosis, to rule out or confirm malignancy

Patients are given a comprehensive preoperative patient information leaflet detailing what to expect on the day, medication, potential risks and consent procedure.

Following skin graft surgery, patients are provided with an advice sheet on wound care with information also provided for the practice nurse on the removal of sutures. Where appropriate, the patients return to clinic for the removal of their sutures

Waiting Times

The average waiting time from referral to assessment is 4-6 weeks and the average waiting time from assessment to procedure is 4-6 weeks. All patients in this reporting period were assessed and treated within 18 weeks of referral.

Activity

The community Minor Surgery service has seen a total of1,782 patients in this reporting period. These included 1,299 procedures, 10 assessments and 473 surgical follow up appointments.

There were a further 15 appointments which resulted in a DNA.

Type of surgery performed from basic excision to maxillofacial procedure

Conditions Treated

Some of the conditions treated include:

All SCC and melanoma were referred to MDT for review.

100% lesions excised are sent for histology. We aim to provide patients with their results within 6-8 weeks.

Post-Operative Complications

• 17 patients recorded as having a post-operative infection requiring antibiotics
• 8 patients recorded having excessive bleeding post-surgery

Safeguarding

There have been 0 safeguarding reports during this time period.

Duty of Candour

There have been no requirements to undertake duty of candour during this time period.

Patient Satisfaction

All patients were forwarded a link to a patient survey on Survey Monkey at the start of each quarter questioning them on a range of subjects including the booking arrangements, clinic facilities, doctor and nurse manner, and overall satisfaction.

• 99% patients said they were treated with courtesy throughout from reception to clinician.
• 98% patients said they were given a clear explanation of their condition and treatment
• 99% patients said they were involved as much as they wanted to be in their care and treatment.
• 99% patients said they were extremely likely or likely to recommend the service to their family and friends.

Patients are also given the opportunity to give feedback via ‘iwantgreatcare’ or our website www.cumbriamedicalservices.co.uk

260 surveys have been returned for this reporting period to date. In terms of the friends and family test and recommending CMS:

Patient comments included

• Staff were lovely, and waiting times were good
• Excellent, professional and caring service. very good post procedure follow up. I have complicated issues with medication problems that were carefully addressed by all the staff,
• Dr White and the 2 nurses involved in performing my procedure were all very relaxed and put me at ease throughout, while instilling a confidence in me that I was totally in safe hands. The affected area of my nose is pretty well on its way to being virtually healed. Thank you.
• From start time finish everything went smoothly. Appointments were on time, friendly staff, treat with respect – a great service 10/10!!
• I was very happy with the CMS staff, doctor and the skin biopsy process. And the work has healed very well. Just await result.
• I would like to express my sincere thanks following my recent BCC procedure. I found the administration staff at Maryport Community Hospital and Cockermouth Community Hospital to be exemplary. They were professional, efficient and reassuring throughout. Coincidentally, a friend of mine underwent a similar facial BCC procedure at around the same time at a surgery in Carlisle, close to where mine was carried out. Immediately after her procedure, she was offered a seat in a recovery area with her accompanying relative, refreshments, and a Vaseline-type cream. She was also given a follow-up appointment. In my case, there was no provision apart from a sheet to take to my GP surgery for stitch and pack removal. However, when I attended, the nurses there felt unable to remove the stitches as they said the threads were not long enough to grasp. They suggested I return to the original hospital where the procedure had been performed fifty miles away. Despite this difficulty, I am delighted with the result of my wound and would like to send my sincere gratitude to all concerned for their skill and care. Thank you again for the excellent clinical outcome and for the professionalism of your staff.
• Everything went very smoothly. No excessive waiting time. The procedure was explained to me and was over quickly.
• Just felt really comfortable with all the staff and Dr White had exactly the right manner in describing procedure and carrying it out. Thanks to everyone.
• The whole procedure from parking, signing in, being seen and after care and advice is efficient and on time. The facilities are modern and welcoming.
• I was treated very well I arrived early that was no problem to the staff, I was seen right away explained with what was going to happen and all went as explained. Very pleased with every one involved.
• Nice private clinic , lovely staff ,aftercare was good, waiting on results a bit long .
• The doctor kept me pain free throughout the procedure and the nurses were brilliant at keeping me calm. Also when I returned to have facial stitches removed the nurse was brilliant. Thank you all so much.