Specialty: Dermatology
Age group: Adult
Direct to an emergency department
- Severe and tender lumps with fluctuant nodules or signs of systemic illness.
Criteria for referral to public hospital service
- Hidradenitis suppurativa that has not responded to medical management (at least 3 to 6 months of continuous oral antibiotics) with functional impact on quality of life or activities of daily life.
Information to be included in the referral
Information that must be provided
- Findings on physical examination
- Details of onset, duration, site, size of nodules and the presence of any scarring or sinus
- Details of previous management including the course of treatments and outcome of treatments
- Patient’s age.
Provide if available
- Current and complete medication history (including non-prescription medicines, herbs and supplements)
- 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.
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.
Reviewed 11 July 2025