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Not all skin cancer clinics are the same !

The landscape of general practice has changed dramatically over the past few years. Sub-specialisation or special interest areas within general practice have emerged and have been very successful. These fields include sports medicine, women's health services, cardiovascular clinics and cosmetic surgery, to name a few. All of these areas have evolved due to the general practitioners professional need to focus on their strengths in a particular area within general practice.

Skin Alert Skin Cancer Clinics has evolved for similar reasons. The concept was born from the frustration shared by two like minded doctors, one a specialist surgeon and the other a general practitioner. Both recognised that increasing red tape, mounting litigation and inadequate training have made procedural work less attractive, thus creating long wait lists for both hospital and specialist care.


We believe Skin Alert fills this void and we currently have clinics setup with best practice standards. These include:

  • A high quality advanced GP training program.
  • Where possible patients LMO’s are to receive updates on their patients outcomes.
  • New purpose built facilities with separate consulting and operating rooms.
  • Trained nursing staff who control sterile protocols and assist in all procedures in dedicated theatres.
  • Removal of lesions only where clinically or pathologically appropriate.
  • Doctors who understand their limitations and refer appropriate patients to a specialist or hospital service.
  • Internal audits to monitor diagnostic acumen and maintain and improve treatment standards.
  • Open book policy and regular communications with the HIC.
  • Research focus to be continued and expanded with initial emphasis on data collection in collaboration with other interest groups.

We also to recruit like minded doctors to train and work in our clinics or to provide the GP an opportunity to refer patients to us who are either financially disadvantaged or are on long wait lists. We do not profess to be the authority of skin cancer, nor do we have all the answers. We are, however, aiming to build and provide a reputable skin cancer clinic model which adheres to best practice standards based on our philosophy of professional ethics and accountability.

 

 

The Skin Alert Doctor training program.

Each new doctor joining Skin Alert is clinically assessed prior to starting by the Clinical Director. Based on this assessment a training program will be developed to up skill the doctor. This training programme is operated in the following format:

  • Preceptorship, the training doctor will spend up to two weeks working along side an experienced
    Skin Alert Doctor. The preceptorship is carried out prior to the Doctor commencing work in the clinic.
    Throughout the preceptorship the doctor will be oriented on the clinics operating systems, working with the HIC, dermostcopy, how to conduct a full skin check, basic skin surgical techniques and wound management.
  • The Doctor is required to complete Skin Alert’s competency based Workplace Diploma course in
    Skin Cancer Management. The doctor undertakes to complete the Skin Alert Diploma in Skin Cancer Management within 12 months.
  • Once completed the Doctor will be verified as being competent in all aspects of the following as they directly relate to the detection, treatment and management of Skin Cancer in a General Practice environment:
    • Patient Consultation
    • Suspect Lesion Detection
    • Biopsy Management
    • Biopsy Report Evaluation
    • Treatment Options
    • Non Surgical Treatment
    • Skin Surgery (basic ellipse and simple flaps)
    • Post Operative Strategies
    • Advanced Skin Surgery (optional)

 

 

"I believe that the Skin Alert Skin Cancer Clinics are at the very forefront of skin cancer detection and treatment. This is not only due to the state of the art facilities available, but due in no small part to the ongoing clinical training of Medical Practitioners and commitment to perfection by all doctors and nursing staff"
......................................................................Dr Graeme Langsford, Specialist Surgeon

 

Diagnosis and treatment.

Skin Alert believes in the professional and ethical delivery of a skin cancer detection and treatment service.
This process includes:

  • A full head to toe examination for all patients (unless declined by the patient).
  • Informed consent prior to procedures.
  • Minimisation of unnecessary interventions by the use of biopsy or clinical acumen prior to treatment.
  • A full range of treatment modalities including preventative strategies, topical preparations, surgery, cryotherapy, curettage and diathermy.
  • Full post-operative care.

 

Skin Alert clinic setup.

All of our clinics are new and purpose built for the treatment of skin cancer. Our design team has worked with a team of experienced doctors and surgeons to develop what we believe to be one of the best medical facilities of its kind anywhere in Australia. Using wood tones, natural tones and space, our clinics help the patient feel comfortable as well as creating a pleasant working environment.

Reception This area is designed to provide the most welcoming environment for the patient to encounter our business. It also allows the reception staff to best service patients, incoming phone calls or email enquires.

Consulting Rooms The doctor is provided with a spacious well-equipped room including flat screen computer system and all essential resources. The patient is afforded privacy, comfort and aesthetically pleasing surrounds.

Theatres Each clinic features two theatres with separate scrub and sterilisation facilities. The theatres include scissor lift beds, computer clinical note access, separate air-conditioning, and all the necessary instruments and consumables required.

Nurses Facility All clinics have dedicated nursing support with a nurse provided to assist each doctor in theatre. Nurses also manage the removal of suture clinics under the direction of the doctors. Most clinics have three dedicated areas for the nursing staff to change dressings or remove sutures.

 


"After years of traditional general practice, Skin Alert has been like a breath of fresh air! I have had the opportunity to develop an interest into an area of real expertise. We have been swamped by patient demand and overwhelmed by their appreciative response to treatment."
.................................................................................... Dr Kathy Diminic, Skin Alert Hervey Bay

 

We aim to provide general practitioners who have a special interest in skin cancer an opportunity to focus on their strengths within a general practice type framework while at the same time allowing for improvement in financial remuneration. Increase your enjoyment of your professional life and spend quality time with your family and friends! This opportunity isn't for everyone but if you enjoy skin cancer detection and treatment then this could be for you.

 

If you would like further information please call Sam Galanos on 0411 449 674
or you can email Sam on Sam.Galanos@healthscope.com.au