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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.

Contact Information:

Dr Vaughan Parsons
vaughan.parsons@nhs.net


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Digital skin surveillance of healthcare workers in the NHS
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Digital skin surveillance of healthcare workers in the NHS

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Mixed

Leicester Newport London Southampton

Medical Conditions

Occupational hand dermatitis

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Occupational hand dermatitis is the most frequently recognized occupational skin disease in the United Kingdom, particularly among healthcare workers. There is a statutory responsibility under the COSHH Regulations 2002 for employers to carry out health surveillance for hand dermatitis in workers exposed to a known hazard in the workplace
and where there is potential for significant exposure. The reality of introducing such a programme in the healthcare setting is a challenge, not least because it raises practical and logistical issues which need to be carefully considered; for example which questionnaire should be used for health surveillance or, who should do the visual inspection of a worker's skin if dermatitis is suspected?

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

25 May 2026 30 Jun 2026

Participants will be required to complete a single item self-assessed skin questionnaire and provide selfie hand photographs using a standardise method. These will be assessed by a trained dermatology nurse (with back-up assessment by a dermatologist) for the presence of hand dermatitis.


NHS staff employed at participating NHS organisations

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Individuals with current dermatitis as diagnosed by a medical practitioner2. Individuals who have used topical steroid cream to their hands in the past 6 weeks3. Visiting or temporary personnel who are undertaking duties on NHS premises including students on placements4. Contractors and anyone not directly employed by the participating NHS organisation5. Individuals on long term sick leave (4 weeks or longer)


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
    Leicester Royal Infirmary Infirmary Square
    Leicester
    LE1 5WW
  • Aneurin Bevan University Lhb
    Headquarters - St Cadoc's Hospital Lodge Road Caerleon
    Newport
    NP18 3XQ
  • Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
    249 Westminster Bridge Road
    London
    SE1 7EH
  • Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
    Tatchbury Mount Hospital Calmore
    Southampton
    SO40 2RZ

Benefits: By taking part in this study, participants will be provided with a remote digital assessment of hand dermatitis based on the data they provide (i.e. hand photographs). Therefore, if this assessment indicates that they may have hand dermatitis then we will recommend that they self-refer for follow-up advice and support from either their local occupational health, GP or pharmacist. Conversely, where applicable participants will also benefit by receiving confirmation that they do not have hand dermatitis. Furthermore, the potential to implement this screening tool more widely across the NHS workforce and to other high risk worker groups will lead to improvements in the early detection and management of workers hand dermatitis, and such favourable outcomes will have wider benefits to the NHS.
Risk: This is a low risk study and we do not anticipate participants will experience any burden and adverse effects from taking part in this study. While the participants assessed as having hand dermatitis (positive case) will be strongly recommended to seek follow-up confidential advice and management from their local occupational health department, general practitioner (GP) or pharmacy as soon as possible, the researchers are unable to mandate that such action is taken by participants. However, as per existing NHS staff policy and statutory regulation, if staff suspect they may have hand dermatitis then they are expected to report it to their employer, therefore the onus is on the participants to fulfil this requirement.

Dr Vaughan Parsons
vaughan.parsons@nhs.net



The study is sponsored by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and funded by Colt Foundation.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN11261867

Or CPMS: 65524

Last updated 11 May 2026

This page is to help you find out about a research study and if you may be able to take part

You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.   

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