Nonconsultant career grade doctors in dermatology : a hidden resource

Since the publication of the NHS Plan in 2000, there has been much emphasis on the development of general practitioners with a special interest (GPwSI) in dermatology.The NHS Modernisation Agency Action on Dermatology (AoD) programme-funded pilot site studies of dermatology GPwSI services and preliminary results were encouraging, although impact on access times was limited (Schofield et al. General practitioners with a special interest in dermatology: results of a 12-month pilot project. Br J Dermatol 2004; 151(Suppl. 68): 3.The AoD programme was keen to explore other models of service delivery involving the group of nonconsultant career grade (NCCG) doctors working in dermatology, many of whom are not general practitioners (GPs).