Specialist Clinics Access and referral guidelines

 

​General Dermatology 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 routinely seen in the General Dermatology Clinic at Western Health:

• 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

Conditions requiring immediate assessment – please refer the patient  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 and referral Priority for General Dermatology and Skin Cancer 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.

Specific referral guidelines

Key information enables Western Health clinicians to triage patient referrals to the correct category and provide treatment with fewer visits to Specialist Clinics, creating more capacity for care. If key information is missing, you will be asked to return the referral with the required information. If this information is not received, the referral may be rejected.

Please note that information is available on HealthPathways Melbourne for assistance in managing your patient’s specific condition. This includes what investigations you need to perform prior to referring to a specialist and what information you need to include in the referral.  If you require login access to HealthPathways, contact [email protected]