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Dermatology

Find assessment and management information on Dermatology conditions at:

Brisbane South HealthPathways

Emergency Immediate transfer to the Emergency Department

If you believe your patient requires immediate attention please phone 000 or refer your patient to the emergency department.

Are you referring to the right service?

This service is for persons 16 years of age and above.

The following conditions not routinely seen:

  • Venous ulceration (refer to Vascular Surgery)
  • Sexually transmissible infections (refer to Sexual Health)
  • Cosmetic conditions (unless problem is due to a dermatological disease, eg. Rosacea)
  • Routine skin checks unless for a particular problem or high risk patients (e.g. Immunosuppression)

Urgent referrals Arranging urgent review

To arrange an urgent review, please phone the relevant hospital’s switchboard and ask to speak to the Registrar of the relevant specialty.

Conditions requiring immediate referral include:

  • Failure of immediate treatment would result in significant morbidity
  • Severe bullous diseases
  • Severe blistering, purpuric or pustular drug eruptions, toxic epidermal necrolysis,
  • Sweet’s syndrome, cellulitis, severe bullous eruptions
  • Stevens Johnson syndrome, ertherma multiforme
  • Erythroderma, pustular psoriasis, acne fulminans
  • Eczema herpeticum, infections with immunosuppression

NB: Any black spot under a nail must always be referred as urgent.

Conditions

Adults

Out of scope services

No out of scope information at this time.

Notes

  • Please note that where appropriate and where available, the referral may be streamed to an associated public allied health and/or nursing service.  Access to some specific services may include initial assessment and management by associated public allied health and/or nursing, which may either facilitate or negate the need to see the public medical specialist.
  • A change in patient circumstance (such as condition deteriorating, or becoming pregnant) may affect the urgency categorisation and should be communicated as soon as possible.
  • Please indicate in the referral if the patient is unable to access mandatory tests or investigations as they incur a cost or are unavailable locally.

Out of catchment

Metro South Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary care or services that are not provided by their local Hospital and Health Service.  If your patient lives outside the Metro South Health area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, inclusion of information regarding their particular medical and social factors will assist with the triaging of your referral.

Last updated 8 March 2023