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Skin cancer/skin lesion (Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery)
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Skin cancer/skin lesion (Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery).
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Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Skin lesion highly suspicious for melanoma or excision biopsy proven melanoma
- Rapidly growing skin lesions especially on the face
- Complex non-melanoma skin malignancies and any of the following:
- ulceration and bleeding
- rapidly enlarging
- neurological involvement
- lymphadenopathy
- poorly differentiated or infiltrative tumour on biopsy
- Other subcutaneous and deep tissue malignancies e.g. Merkel cell carcinoma, sarcoma
- Skin lesion causing substantial obstruction to vision
- Suspicion of malignant liposarcoma
- Poorly differentiated SCC
- Prior malignancy at the same site
Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Uncomplicated non-melanoma skin malignancies (BCC/SCC/IEC)
- Skin lesions with any of the following:
- causing functional problems or significant disfigurement
- diameter exceeds ≥ 5cm in size or rapid growth over short period of time
- significant persistent pain that is not solely pressure related
- fixed to deep tissues, i.e. muscle or fascia
- recurring after a previous excision
- prone to recurrent infection
- diagnosis in doubt or needs confirmation
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - Benign soft tissue lesions e.g. lipoma, ganglion not suitable for primary health management
- Clinically significant benign lesions
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Features of pigmented lesions: size, shape, colour, inflammation, oozing, change in sensation
- Biopsy results unless clinically contraindicated - excision biopsy is the preferred method for suspected melanoma
- Smoking status
- History of anticoagulant therapy
Out of scope / wrong door
Adult
The following conditions are out of scope for this service:
- Redundant tissue, excision (anywhere)
- Minor or asymptomatic scarring
- Liposuction
- Asymptomatic benign lesions
- Cosmetic rhinoplasty
- Cosmetic labioplasty
- Tattoo removal
- Cosmetic augmentation mammoplasty
- Gynaecomastia in the context of obesity where the breast size is proportionate to the body habitus
- Replacement of breast implants
- Small volume breast reductions done for re-shaping
- Revisions after cosmetic surgery
- Gender reassignment surgery - redirect through gender reassignment clinic
Paediatric
There are currently no out of scope conditions for this service.
Parent service: Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery
Send outpatient referrals to
- Smart Referrals preferred (Best Practice or Medical Director)
- Medical Objects GQ42150009Z (lookup qh → QHEALTH, GOLD COAST HEALTH OUTPATIENT)
- HealthLink EDI Qldgchsd
- Fax (07) 5687 4497 — Booking and Referral Centre
- Post: Booking and Referral Centre, Gold Coast University Hospital, 1 Hospital Boulevard, Southport QLD 4215
- Clinic enquiries 1300 559 083
How to refer — full order
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