Ambulight PDT for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer

Ambulight PDT allows PDT to be delivered in a community setting. This could reduce the demand on NHS transport services and hospital outpatient services as well as improving access to treatment and potentially reducing waiting times.

NICE's cancer service guideline on improving outcomes for people with skin tumours including melanoma states that the management of basal cell carcinomas imposes a significant workload on both primary- and secondary-care services. It recommends that treatment and care should take into account patients' needs and preferences, and recognises that there is a need to provide high-quality care close to a patient's home. A device that offers ambulatory PDT could be an attractive treatment option for some patients who express a strong desire to continue with their normal daily activities while receiving treatment.

The committee recognised the potential for the system advantages on which the cost models described in section 5 were based.

The committee considered that the use of Ambulight PDT might make additional staff training necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment delivery, and need additional infrastructure set up within ambulatory care settings. Although these would have initial outlay costs, there may be cost savings once a service is established.

The committee was advised that there is substantial variation in practice and that PDT is used much less in some hospitals than in others; this made consideration of any changes in service provision more complicated. Ambulight PDT is a current treatment option for non-melanoma skin cancer for carefully selected patients.