Dermatology Referral
The Dermatology Clinic at BC Children’s Hospital provides comprehensive care for infants, children and youth with challenging skin, hair and nail disorders.
BC Children’s Hospital Dermatology Clinic accepts referrals for the following services:
- Outpatient consultations
- Telephone and email consultations to assist in the care of children who are unable to travel to Vancouver for assessment and treatment and for urgent matters
- Phototherapy for children under the care of dermatologists as well as those referred to us by community-based providers
- Patch testing for contact dermatitis
Review our referral guidelines (PDF), which include some helpful tips for patients with skin problems that do not require referrals.
Exclusion criteria
- Patients 18 years and older: refer to a community dermatologist
- Patients over 16 with non-acute problems, except those with a complicated pediatric disorder: refer to a community dermatologist
- Patients with warts and molluscum: we only see these patients if they are immunocompromised or have severe involvement, leading to social stigma
- Patients with atopic dermatitis: we only see these patients if they have failed an adequate trial of therapy with appropriate topical steroids. Refer milder disease to a community pediatrician or dermatologist
Referral overview
All doctors and nurse practitioners in BC can make a referral to BC Children’s Hospital’s Dermatology Clinic.
Referral steps
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Complete a referral form
Complete a clinic referral form (PDF) and include any previous relevant tests, current medications, reports, photographs and consultations with the patient.
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Send the referral
Fax a completed referral and relevant supporting documents to 604-875-3076.
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Post-referral
A dermatologist rigorously triages all referrals within 1-2 business days. The wait time for a non-urgent concern may be longer. We prioritize urgent cases.
Once we have triaged your patient’s referral, our clinic will send a fax to the referring office outlining the anticipated wait time for the patient. If your patient's condition changes or worsens, please add this information to the referral and resend it via fax.
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Booking an appointment
Once we have accepted the referral, the clinic will schedule an appointment with the patient or their family or caregiver.
While awaiting an appointment, we encourage providers to refer to our dermatology resources page for recommendations on symptom management.
Contact information
Address:
Dermatology Clinic
Area 7, first floor
Ambulatory Care Building
BC Children’s Hospital
4480 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6H 3V4
Phone: 604-875-2606
Fax: 604-875-3076