This year’s Skin Cancer Screening Programme has seen an exceptional public response, with all appointments fully booked on the first working day. As a result of this high demand, the Gibraltar Health Authority is taking further steps to expand access and ensure timely screening for those still seeking an appointment.

Traditionally, the GHA has offered skin cancer screenings on a walk-in basis. However, due to the high turnout in previous years, the GHA introduced a new appointment-based system for 2025 to improve patient flow and ensure more efficient use of clinical resources.

This year’s bookings opened a few days ago, in the week leading up to Sun Awareness Day, scheduled for Saturday 10th May. Despite the extended timeframe, the public response was extraordinary. All 370 available appointments were fully booked in one day, demonstrating the community’s strong commitment to skin health and early detection.

GHA Director General, Mr Kevin McGee, said, “We were truly overwhelmed by the level of interest. Unfortunately, this has meant that some individuals have been unable to get through and secure an appointment, for which we sincerely apologise.”

In light of this, the GHA will coordinate with the Dermatology team to facilitate smaller-scale follow-up clinics for those who were unable to book. Additionally, the GHA is actively exploring the feasibility of organising an additional screening clinic at a later stage, subject to staff availability and resource planning.

The GHA remains committed to raising awareness of skin cancer and ensuring that those at risk have access to timely screening and care.

In the meantime, the GHA urges anyone who has a skin lesion or is concerned about a suspicious mole to contact the Primary Care Appointment line on 200 52441 to arrange an appointment with a GP for further assessment.