Specialist Clinics Access and referral guidelines

 

Dermatology Specialist Clinics at Western Health: 

Western health provides Specialist Dermatology Clinic services for adult patients 18 years of age and older. These clinics are facilitated by specialist Dermatologists. 

Referrals are triaged by a dermatologist according to specific clinical requirements. 

Referrals may be triaged to an alternative Specialist Clinic at Western Health. 

The General Dermatology and Skin Cancer Clinics are run concurrently at Footscray Hospital on a weekly basis. 

Conditions not seen at Western Health General Dermatology Clinic: 

• Routine skin checks are only provided for high-risk patients (multiple skin cancers and / or immunosuppression)

• Children under 18 years of age should be referred to the paediatric dermatology clinic (please see referral guidelines)

• Venous ulceration – please refer to vascular surgery 

• Sexually transmitted diseases – please refer to infectious diseases

• Cosmetic conditions

• Laser Dermatology is not available at Western health

Urgent conditions:

The following conditions require Urgent medical attention and should be directed to the Emergency Department. 

• Extensive blistering including suspected toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) or Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS)

• Purpuric (bruise-like) rashes
  

• Widespread and symptomatic drug eruptions (particularly if painful or tender)

• Erythroderma (>90% whole body skin redness)

• Generalised pustular psoriasis

• Eczema herpeticum

• Skin infections in immunosuppressed patients
  

Access & Referral Priority Dermatology Specialist Clinics:

The clinical information provided in your referral will determine the triage category. The triage category will affect the timeframe in which the patient is offered an appointment.

Condition Specific Referral Guidelines:

Key information enables Western Health to triage patients to the correct category and provide treatment with fewer visits to specialist clinics, creating more capacity for care. If key information is missing, you may be asked to return the referral with the required information.