CATEGORY DEFINITIONS
These are recommended guidelines for health professionals referring patients for assessments / treatment in a HHS.

within 1 week

within 4 weeks

within 16 weeks

Immediate and Urgent cases must be discussed with the Specialist or Registrar in order to get appropriate prioritisation and then a referral letter sent with the patient, faxed or e-mailed.  The times to assessment may vary depending on size and staffing of the hospital department.

Clinical diagnosis

Initially if mild treat with topical agents (peeling agents or topical antibiotics).

Then add in oral antibiotics (tetracyclines) for minimum of three months (usually nine to eighteen months). In female patients consider Diane 35.

Referral to Dermatologists for nodulocystic acne, acne extending to the lower back, acne unresponsive to previous treatment

Category 3   

Other References: 

Differential Diagnosis in Dermatology.  Richard Ashton & Barbara Leppard.  Radcliffe Medical Press. 1990