Information for GP's
The Dermatology service provides an additional choice to secondary care outpatients for patients and GPs. Patients will be seen in a community setting (after appropriate triage by clinicians) for assessment, investigation, treatment and surgery where appropriate, before being discharged back to their GP with a management plan.
Why should patients be referred?
Patient care will be based on best practice evidence, reflecting NICE and Map of Medicine guidance. Patients can expect shorter waiting times, a greater choice of appointment dates and times, and an exceptional quality clinical service.
Which patients can be referred?
We see patients with a range of conditions, including (but not limited to):
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Acne
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Lichen planus
- Urticaria
- Rosacea
- Vasculitis
- Unknown skin rashes
- Inflammatory skin disorders
- Pigment disorders e.g., vitiligo
Which patients cannot be referred?
- Two week wait cancer referrals (SCC and suspected malignant melanomas)
- Rashes in pregnancy
- Phototherapy
- Patch testing
Referring your patient
Referrals should be made via the ERS system. The service is unable to accept referrals via email or fax.
Triage Process
All referrals received are read and classified within three working days of receipt by a qualified clinician. Any referrals that do not meet the agreed service criteria or have incomplete clinical details will be returned to referring practice within one working day of triage. Triage is carried out by a specialist clinician who is skilled and accredited to deal with the level of clinical decision involved for the service.
Clinic Letters
A typed clinic letter outlining the diagnosis, investigations, treatment plan and patient advice following each patient consultation will be sent to the referring clinician within five working days of consultation. Clinic letters are sent either electronically or in the post.