Information for patients and their families
The Dermatology Team provides a comprehensive service to adults and children with skin problems. We encourage patients and their families to actively take part in the decisions related to their care and treatment. Our team is made up of specialist doctors and nurses with a wide range of clinical skills and speciality interests.
Information for health professionals
We pride ourselves on a patient centred approach to care and the provision of a multifaceted service, comprising of consultants, registrars and specialist nurses with a wide range of skills and sub-specialty interests.
In addition to the weekly general skin clinic, the Dermatology Department runs concurrent specialist clinics in the early diagnosis and management of skin cancer, dermatological surgery and severe psoriasis and biologic therapies. Furthermore, we provide care for inpatients (with inpatient beds at Footscray Hospital) and inpatient / emergency department referrals (at both Sunshine Hospital and Footscray Hospital).
Teaching and training of medical students, HMOs and registrars is also an integral part of our department, with "teaching on the run" during outpatient clinics and inpatient ward rounds, as well as more formal training forums; The University of Melbourne MD Dermatology lecture series, HMO education sessions and Registrar tutorials.
Key Personnel
Dr Anne Howard FACD, FRACP - Head of Unit, Consultant Dermatologist
Dr Bruce Tate FACD, PhD - Consultant Dermatologist
Dr Laura Scardamaglia FACD - Consultant Dermatologist
Dr Shobha Joseph FACD - Consultant Dermatologist (skin cancer)
Dr Amanda Saracino - Dermatology Registrar
Jan Borlase - Dermatology Nurse
Sue Byers - Biologics Nurse
Our Services
Outpatient Clinic
Referrals to this clinic must be posted or faxed to the Outpatient Department. Waiting time for a new patient is approximately 4 - 6 months. Medical Student and Dermatology Registrar teaching occurs during this weekly clinic.
1st Floor Outpatients Department
Footscray Hospital
Fridays 1.30pm - 5.00pm
Dermatology - Procedure Clinic
Procedures performed by the Dermatology Registrar
1st Floor Outpatients Department
Footscray Hospital Alternate Friday mornings
Skin Cancer Clinic
Patients seen by Dr Shoba Joseph
Minor surgical and medical treatments performed in clinic. Advanced surgery arranged.
1st Floor Outpatients Department
Western Hospital Footscray
Alternate Friday Afternoons
Severe Psoriasis Clinic
Patients seen by Doctors and Susan Byers
Patients currently on or for work up / consideration of Biologic Treatment
1st Floor Outpatients Department
Footscray Hospital
Alternate Friday Afternoons
Inpatient Dermatology Referrals
Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm
Seen by Dermatology Registrar
Patients are reviewed by consultants as required after clinic on Friday afternoons
Inpatient Referrals
Sunshine Hospital
Seen by Dr Bruce Tate
Phone Consultation - Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm
The Dermatology Registrar is available for dermatology phone consultations Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm. NB: No after hours dermatology consultation is available overnight or on weekends.
Contact Us
Head of Unit
Dr Anne Howard
Phone: 8345 6666
