Dermatology services in Western Sydney
Dermatology is the medical specialty that looks after conditions affecting the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes (such as the mouth). Dermatologists also diagnose and manage skin changes that can be related to other medical conditions.
The Westmead Hospital Department of Dermatology provides general and specialised care for a wide range of skin conditions, using a coordinated and patient-centred approach.
Conditions we treat
Our dermatology team treats a broad range of skin conditions, including:
Common skin conditions
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Acne and rosacea
- Chronic urticaria (hives)
Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
- Lupus
- Scleroderma and morphea
- Autoimmune skin diseases
- Bullous (blistering) diseases
- Porphyria
Skin infections and immune-related conditions
- Infectious skin diseases
- Immune-mediated skin conditions
Skin cancers and lesions
- Moles (naevi)
- Melanoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Merkel cell carcinoma
- Other non-melanoma skin cancers
- Cutaneous lymphomas (including mycosis fungoides)
Other specialised conditions
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Genetic skin conditions (genodermatoses)
- Sun-related skin conditions (photodermatoses)
Clinic information
Westmead Hospital offers specialist dermatology clinics for patients with complex or high-risk skin conditions.
| Clinic | Focus | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Dermatology | Dermatology care for adolescents and young adults | Once monthly – Friday |
| Autoinflammatory Dermatology | Hidradenitis suppurativa, chronic urticaria | Tuesday PM |
| Clinical Trials | Access to investigational and novel therapies | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday AM/PM |
| Cutaneous Lymphoma | Primary cutaneous lymphomas | Tuesday AM |
| General Dermatology | Assessment and management of common and complex skin conditions | Wednesday, Thursday PM |
| Graft vs Host Disease | Dermatology care for graft versus host disease | Thursday PM (monthly) |
| High-Risk Melanoma | Surveillance for patients at increased melanoma risk | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday |
| Melanoma | Diagnosis and management of melanoma | Thursday, Friday AM/PM |
| Onco-Dermatology | Skin cancers and cancer-related skin conditions | Thursday, Friday AM/PM |
| Phototherapy | Supervised phototherapy for chronic/inflammatory skin disease | Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM |
| Professor Fernandez-Peñas Private Clinic | Private dermatology consultations | Wednesday AM |
| Severe Eczema | Severe and treatment-resistant eczema | Tuesday AM |
| Severe Psoriasis | Management of severe psoriasis | Monday PM |
| Severe Psoriasis (Biologics) | Biologic therapy for severe psoriasis | Tuesday AM |
| Surgical Dermatology | Surgical assessment and management of skin lesions | Monday PM, Thursday AM, Friday AM |
| Transplant Dermatology | Dermatology care for solid organ transplant recipients | Thursday AM |
How to refer
Outpatient Clinic referrals are triaged by our medical staff. Please send as much information as possible to assist us with managing your referral.
Referrals can be submitted via:
- Fax: 8890 9673
- Email:WSLHD-WestmeadDermatology@health.nsw.gov.au
All referrals must include:
- Level of urgency
- Patient name, age, and date of birth
- Address and contact telephone numbers
- Medicare number
- Specific clinical problem(s) requiring consultation
- Preferred language (please indicate if an interpreter is required)
- Copies of relevant investigation results (within the last 12 months)
- Current medication list
Referral guide
** Conditions marked with ** require urgent referral
| Condition | When to refer | Recommended tests |
|---|---|---|
| Acne (severe) | Extensive disease, nodules or scarring; poor response to ≥6 months of oral antibiotics and topical therapy | — |
| Alopecia | Persistent or extensive hair loss; scarring alopecia; diagnostic uncertainty | — |
| Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) | Suspected BCC; morphoeic/sclerosing type; high-risk sites; multiple tumours; immunosuppression | — |
| Bullous Diseases | Diagnosis uncertain or poor response to treatment | — |
| Connective Tissue Diseases | Morphoea, lupus, dermatomyositis, mixed connective tissue disease | FBE, UEC, LFT, ANA, ESR |
| Drug Reactions | Fixed drug eruption; erythema multiforme; other significant drug rashes | — |
| Eczema | Poor response to moderately potent steroids; chronic lichenified eczema; allergic contact eczema; infected eczema; eczema herpeticum **; erythroderma ** | — |
| Melanoma | Suspected or confirmed melanoma** | — |
| Molluscum Contagiosum | Extensive, painful or inflamed lesions; immunosuppressed patients | — |
| Multiple Moles | >100 moles or >5 atypical moles | — |
| Nail Dystrophy | Suspected subungual tumour; fungal infection unresponsive to treatment | FBE, UEC, LFT, TSH, T4, iron studies |
| Other Conditions | Panniculitis, granulomatous diseases, infective dermatoses | — |
| Porphyria | Fragile skin or blistering on sun-exposed sites; diagnostic uncertainty | FBE, UEC, LFT, urinary/faecal/RBC porphyrins |
| Pruritus | Persistent or uncontrolled itch; diagnosis unclear | Exclude iron deficiency, thyroid, renal, liver disease, lymphoma, drug reaction |
| Psoriasis | Diagnostic uncertainty; extensive disease; occupational impact; difficult sites; failure of topical therapy; need for systemic treatment; erythrodermic **; pustular ** | FBE, UEC, LFT (if systemic therapy considered) |
| Rosacea | Severe or treatment-resistant disease; rhinophyma; severe telangiectasia; keratitis | Refer keratitis to Ophthalmology |
| Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) | Rapidly growing lesions **; high-risk sites; immunosuppression; diagnostic uncertainty | — |
| Solar / Actinic Keratoses & Bowen’s Disease | Diagnosis uncertain; painful or rapidly growing lesions; extensive disease or sun damage; treatment failure; immunosuppression | Treat as SCC until proven otherwise |
| Urticaria | Persistent >3 months despite antihistamines; urticarial vasculitis; angioedema | Consider Immunology for angioedema |
| Atypical Lymphocytic Infiltrates | Suspected cutaneous lymphoma, pseudolymphoma, or drug reaction | — |
Working with other specialists
We work closely with other medical teams to providecoordinated and holistic care. Combined clinics and shared care models include collaboration with:
- Medical oncology
- Radiation oncology
- Immunology
- Nephrology
- Genetics
- Haematology
This team-based approach ensures that all aspects of your health are considered when planning your treatment.
Treatments and services
Our department provides access to a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services, including:
- Medical and surgical dermatology
- Skin cancer assessment and management
- UV light (phototherapy) treatmen (available as a Medicare-funded service)
Patient support and accessibility
We aim to make our services accessible and inclusive:
- Interpreter services are available for patients who need language support
- We accept patients from:
- Justice Health
- Aged care facilities
- Patients with limited mobility are welcome and may attend with anescort