For Patients and Visitors
What is the Dermatology Service?
The Dermatology Unit is staffed by a group of specialist doctors who are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the skin.
The skin is the largest organ of your body and there is a wide range of problems that are treated, including cancers (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, lymphoma, etc.) precancerous lesions, acne, eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, contact dermatitis, drug reactions, infections, vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases (lupus, dermatomyositis).
- Narrow band UVB phototherapy is provided when required.
- We do not remove benign lesions (moles, age spots, skin tags, etc.) on cosmetic grounds.
- Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity for routine skin checks, please see your GP if you have concerns about any skin lesions, and they can consider referral as appropriate
What can I expect from the service?
You will be seen in the clinic by a specialist doctor, who will assess your problem.
An Interpreter service is provided by the hospital if required.
If necessary, a skin biopsy will be taken and blood tests might also be ordered. If you have a skin cancer, this will be removed in the clinic if possible or you will be referred to the Plastic Surgery Unit in the case of more complicated surgery. If you need to see a specialist in another department, this will be arranged.
The doctor will prescribe treatment and will send a letter to your referring doctor. The doctor will also arrange a review appointment for you if necessary.
We currently have a very high demand for specialist clinic consultations. If there is a concern about the delay of the appointment, or if your condition changes, we recommend you contact your GP or, in an emergency, attend the nearest hospital Emergency Department.
How to refer to the service?
A referral is required. Please visit your GP clinic to see if you need to see a Dermatologist.
What do I bring/need for my appointment?
Please bring with you:
- A list of all the medicines that you take.
- The name and clinic address of your current General Practitioner.
- Any recent investigations (tests, scans or results)
How much does it cost?
There is no cost for your visit or for most pathology tests if you have a Medicare card or Department of Veterans Affairs card. A charge may be levied for any pathology required if you do not have one of these cards. For further information regarding patient account information (such as Medicare ineligible patients) – click here. Prescribed medications can be obtained from the hospital pharmacy or your local pharmacy and there may be a charge for those.
Contact us
Phone: 8405 8335
Email: SpecialistClinics@nh.org.au
For Health Professionals
Service Overview
Northern Health Dermatology Service assesses and treats most skin conditions, with referral to other health professionals if indicated. Northern Health does not have capacity to accept referral for routine skin checks however, we do accept referrals where there is biopsy-confirmed skin cancer. If you do have this concern, please perform a biopsy (unless contraindicated in General Practice due to anatomical site, i.e. head and genitals) and include these results along with a photograph in the referral so we can triage appropriately.
Dermatology Referral Guidelines – Click here
Phototherapy is provided for appropriate conditions.
Dermatology Services not offered at Northern Health
- Skins checks can only be provided where there is biopsy-confirmed concern for malignancy, or a recent history of high-risk malignancy such as melanoma in the last 2 years. If you do have this concern, please perform a biopsy where possible and include these results along with a photo in the referral so we can triage appropriately. If biopsy is not possible due to anatomical site (i.e. head or genitals), please state this in the referral.
- Removal of benign lesions on cosmetic grounds (i.e. Benign naevi, seborrhoeic keratosis, skin tags, warts, etc.)
- Mild acne not requiring systematic management
- Uncomplicated male pattern hair loss
- Venous ulceration – consider referral to Vascular Surgery
- Allergy services including Skin Prick Testing – consider referral to Respiratory Medicine.
- Sexually transmitted diseases – consider referral to Infectious Diseases
- Patients who are being treated for the same condition at another Victorian public hospital
- Laser or cosmetic procedures
How to Refer:
Urgent referrals can be discussed with the Dermatology Registrar by calling Northern Health switchboard Tel: 8405 8000. Acutely unwell patients should be directed to the nearest Emergency Department.
GP Referrals: Use Healthlink to send referrals, results and reports. For more information click here
Other Health Service Referrals: (hospitals, allied health, specialists etc): Fax your referral to 8405 8616
The impact of COVID-19 has resulted in high demand for specialist clinic consultations. If there is a concern about the delay of the appointment, or any deterioration in the patient’s condition, please send an updated referral with additional information.
For further guidance on how to manage specific conditions in general practice, or what specific investigations and information are required for specialist referral, please visit your local HealthPathways website or equivalent online care pathways website.
Click here for HealthPathways Melbourne
Please contact your local PHN if you require login access
Head of Unit:
A/Prof Aaron Robinson
