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.

Speed of growth, site and type of lesion

For BCC and SCC:

1. Excision and histology
2. Cryotherapy or
3. Curettage with cautery or
4. Radiotherapy

depending on the activity of the lesion, the induration, the site, and the skill of the operator. Cryotherapy is generally contraindicated for lesions on the lip or ear.

Refer if diagnostic concern, or without skill, e.g. rapid growth or presenting on lip / ear

Category 2

Other References: 

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