Assessment of vitiligo

Specialty: Dermatology
Age group: Adult

Criteria for referral to public hospital service

• Vitiligo that has not responded to medical management (i.e. prescribed topical corticosteroid (with or without calcineurin inhibitors)) impacting on quality of life or activities of daily living.

Information to be included in the referral

Information that must be provided

• Details of onset, duration, site, and distribution of pigmentary changes
• How depigmentation is impacting on quality of life or activities of daily living including impact on work, study, social activities.

Provide if available

• Colour photograph(s) – with patient’s consent where secure image transfer, identification and storage is possible. These images often assist with identifying clinical urgency and the most appropriate specialist clinic or service.
• If the person identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• If the person is neurodiverse, gender diverse or has a disability
• If the person is from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

Additional comments

The Minimum information for referrals to non-admitted specialist services lists the information that should be included in a referral request.

Note. Patients will be discharged back to the care of their GP with a detailed management plan, unless they require ongoing treatment (e.g. systemic medication, narrow band ultraviolet B therapy).

Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.

Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for

• Not applicable