Direct Access Dermatology
What is Direct Access Dermatology?
Direct Access Dermatology
If you see a new skin problem or a change in one you already have, you can use this service to get it checked online by a GP with extra training in skin problems (such as moles, rashes or other concerns).
This service is accessed via Evergreen Life’s digital triage tool (previously known as askmyGP).
Please note: This service is only available at pilot practices at this time. Please check via your practice’s triage tool (askmyGP) or contact your practice if unsure. If you have concerns about your skin and this service is not yet available at your practice, please contact your practice for advice.
Who is the service for?
This service is only for those aged 18 years old and over.
Please only describe ONE skin problem throughout this form.
The skin problem must NOT have been previously biopsied (cut out or tested by a doctor), cut or otherwise injured.
We CANNOT assess any skin problem that are:
Located in an intimate area of the body (e.g. genitals)
Covered by an excessive amount of hair
Under nails
In an area of visible scarring or tattooing
⚠️ If you do not meet the above criteria, please contact your practice.
How many skin problems can be checked?
We can only check ONE skin problem per request.
How will I receive my results?
Once the skin specialist replies, you’ll be notified via email, push notification*, or within the triage system. They will explain the outcome and next steps.
*Push notifications are pop-up alerts sent to your phone if you have the Evergreen Life app installed and push notifications enabled.
The skin specialist will explain what they think and what to do next. They might ask for more information or clearer photos - if so, you can reply and upload more pictures.
What photos do I need to take?
By following these guidelines, you’ll help ensure that the skin specialist can accurately assess your skin problem.
⚠️ If you don’t follow these guidelines correctly and submit photos that aren’t clear enough or don’t show the whole problem, then the skin specialist will be unable to make an assessment, and you will not receive a recommendation.
Please take at least 3 different photos, so we get a full view of the problem.
Here’s what we need with example photos:
A photo from arm’s length away, showing the entire part of your body with the problem (e.g. entire arm, entire back, etc.). If your skin problem is a rash, please make sure to show the full body part that the rash covers, which may be the full body. It helps the skin specialist if they can see where the rash is on different parts of your body:
A close-up photo to fill the screen:
A photo of your skin problem at an angle (45 degrees or from the side):
How should I take and upload the photos?
Lighting:
Ensure that you take the photos in a bright and well-lit area, preferably in natural sunlight, so the skin problem can be seen clearly.
If using flash, ensure it is even and not causing too much glare. Position the phone so that isn’t causing shadow over the skin.
Background: Try to take photos against a plain background, rather than with multiple different colours, surfaces or objects in view.
❌ Uneven lighting, messy background
❌ Uneven lighting due to phone shadow
✅ Even lighting. Plain background
Focus:
Make sure the photos are in focus and not blurry.
You can manually focus on the lesion by tapping on the screen of the phone.
If it remains blurred, the camera is probably too near or focussing on the wrong spot.
Try moving the camera backwards slightly, then tapping again to focus on the lesion.
It can be easier to use one of the side buttons to take the photo while also trying to focus.
❌ Blurry, not in focus
✅ In focus, clear image
No filters: Do not use any filters or editing tools on the photos.
No zooming out: Please do not use the wide-angle lens (e.g., 0.5x) when taking mole photos. This will distort the image.
Use Wi-Fi connection: To ensure faster upload speeds, connect to a secure, reliable Wi-Fi network.
Step-by-step guide to accessing and completing the service
Please follow the steps below to complete the service.
Log in to the digital triage tool via the Evergreen Life app - by going to your GP record and tapping on ‘Request help from GP’ - or via the web browser version. (You may have known this previously as askmyGP).
Choose ‘New request’.
Confirm if your request is about yourself (Patient) or for someone else (for example, if you are a parent or carer).
Select ‘Skin problem’ on the menu.
Read the service information on the first screen, then tap ‘Next’.
Please carefully read the guidance on the page that follows.
Confirm that you’ve read the information, and you’re happy to continue.
Answer all of the questions about your skin problem.
At the bottom of the page, once you’ve answered all of the questions, please choose ‘Next’ to continue.
On the next page, read the image upload guidance carefully.
Upload your first photo using the ‘Select File’ button.
Upload your second and third photos using the folder icon in the top right corner.
Once you’re ready, choose ‘Complete’ to send the form.
When a skin specialist replies, you'll get a notification by app notification, email or through the triage tool when logged in.
You can follow the notification to see their response and reply if they ask for anything else.
Need help?
For questions about whether your skin problem is suitable for this service, or for medical care, please contact your GP practice.
For technical problems (like trouble uploading photos), please email: support@evergreen-dermatology.co.uk.