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Find out how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.
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Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).
NHS App
The NHS app lets you book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and access a range of other healthcare services.
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NHS 111 online is a fast and convenient alternative to the 111 phone service and provides an option for people who want to access 111 digitally.
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Your NHS number is a 10 digit number, like 485 777 3456.
You do not need to know your NHS number to use NHS services, but it can be useful to have it.
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If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this website explains your options and where you can get support.
Patient Knows Best
At Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT), are gradually introducing Patients Know Best as their patient portal. This means that patients aged 16 years and older who attend Basildon, Broomfield and Southend hospitals can view information such as their outpatient appointment information, inpatient discharge letters and radiology test reports online, using this PKB web portal.
Information in PKB also feeds into the NHS App, making it easy for you to view your information online, at any time.
When new information is added to the portal, PKB will send you a notification from email address no-reply-uk@patientsknowbest.com . These emails are secure and not spam. If you find any errors in your information, please email mse.pkb@nhs.net (please include your NHS number and date of birth in the email so we can locate your details on our databases).
For more information, visit our website: https://www.mse.nhs.uk/patients-know-best-pkb. For urgent medical care or advice call NHS 111. In case of serious injury or illness which may be life-threatening, always call 999.
New Dermatology Service
From Sunday 1 February 2026, the new Integrated Community Dermatology Service will be fully launched across mid and south Essex, delivered by CHEC (Community Health and Eyecare).
This introduces a single adult dermatology pathway, ensuring patients are assessed by the right clinician at the right time.
What is changing
From 1 February 2026, the following changes will apply:
- All adult dermatology referrals, including urgent suspected skin cancer, will be managed through a Single Point of Access (SPOA)
- Direct referrals to secondary care dermatology services will no longer be accepted
- Referrals must be submitted electronically via the NHS e-Referral Service (eRS) using the appropriate SPOA listing
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Community-based, digitally enabled care
The Integrated Community Dermatology Service provides consultant-led assessment supported by a digital-first model, helping to improve access, reduce waiting times and deliver care closer to home.
The pathway supports seamless movement between virtual, community and secondary care settings where clinically required.
Benefits of the service
The Integrated Community Dermatology Service supports MSE system priorities by:
- Increasing community-based capacity, helping to reduce pressure on hospital outpatient services
- Supporting earlier clinical assessment, including faster review of urgent suspected skin cancer referrals
- Reducing waiting times through digitally enabled triage and consultant-led teledermatology
- Improving equity of access, with consistent pathways across mid and south Essex
- Delivering care closer to home, using a network of local community clinics
- Providing clear clinical communication, supporting continuity of care between primary, community and secondary services
- Ensuring seamless onward referral, with direct escalation to acute providers where hospital-based care is required
This integrated model enables more patients to be managed safely within community settings, while ensuring those who require specialist hospital care are identified quickly and referred without delay.
CHEC_Dermstology Service Guide - Mid-South Essex PATIENT FACING.pdf
CHEC MSE community dermatology service - patient FAQ Updated 30th Jan 2026.pdf
Page last reviewed: 23 March 2026
Page created: 22 October 2024
Page created: 22 October 2024