Dermatology

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Ongoing management of previously referred adult and paediatric skin conditions

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

THS Southern Region

  • For patients:
    • with complex dermatological diseases not responding to standard therapies
    • requiring medications subject to dermatologist-only prescription
    • with diseases of uncertain diagnosis
  • Biopsy and removal of skin lesions should occur in general practice or for more difficult areas be referred to Plastics or General Surgery clinics in the first instance.
  • Venous ulceration should be referred to Vascular Surgery.
  • Sexually transmitted infections should be referred to Sexual Health Clinic
  • Photodynamic therapy is not available at the RHH
  • Cosmetic lesions are not treated at the RHH

THS Northern Region does not provide a public dermatology service. See Health Pathways for more information.

THS Northwest Region has limited capacity to provide outpatient clinic care for those people with complex dermatological diseases unresponsive to standard therapies or requiring medications subject to dermatologist only prescription or those diseases of uncertain diagnosis and this service is provided by a visiting Dermatologist who visits monthly.

Emergency conditions

Direct patients to the Emergency Department if urgent assessment is required, e.g. for the following symptoms/conditions (not exclusive):

  • Severe skin reactions, e.g. Stevens Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme
  • Acute erythroderma or generalized pustular psoriasis
  • Patients with extensive blistering (bullous) lesions who are systemically unwell

Referral process

THS-Southern Region: A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians.

Specific requirements are detailed in the individual clinic and condition referral guidelines.  Please forward relevant private investigation results and ask patients to bring current medication list.

Please provide adequate information to allow us to triage accurately.

Clinic appointments are based on clinical priority.

THS-Northern Region: See Health Pathways

THS-North West Region: Referral (preferably faxed) is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians. Clinic appointments are based on clinical priority.

Emergency

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Additional information

With thanks to the Dermnet NZ