Information for Referrers

Frontier Dermatology is a specialist dermatology practice in Charlestown treating medical, surgical and cosmetic skin conditions. We welcome referrals from general practitioners and other specialists across the Hunter New England region.

Please have your patient call our reception team to arrange bookings after sending the referral. Due to the volume of referrals, we do not intitiate contact with patients upon receiving referrals.

Appointments with our cosmetic nurses do not require a referral.
Current Status

Dermatologist Availability

Extensive wait times necessitated the difficult decision for all three dermatologists to close books. However, acne referrals are still accepted by Dr Lamrock and Dr Barrett still accepts referrals for Mohs surgery.

Dr Edwina Lamrock
MBBS (Hons) FACD
Closed books, March 2026
Due to extensive waitlists, Dr Lamrock's books are closed to new patients for General dermatology.

Acne -
continues to accept referrals for acne clinics. Current wait time for routine acne appointments exceed 6 months.
Dr Alicia Thornton
MBBS (Hons) FACD
Closed books, August 2025
Due to extensive waitlists, Dr Thornton's books are closed to new patients for General and Paediatric dermatology.

Acne -
due to extended wait times, currently paused accepting new referrals. Given this, we cannot predict when referrals will reopen.  
Dr Thomas Barrett
MBBS FACD
Urgent and Mohs referrals
Urgent referrals – limited spaces available.

Mohs surgery -
ongoing acceptance of referrals for new and existing patients.

It is preferable for Mohs surgery referrals to include:
- details of biopsy
- clinical photographs
- histopathology reports
- confirmation of the patient's private health  insurance status

Due to extensive waitlists, Dr Barrett is currently not able to accept new patients for General dermatology.

We understand these notices pose considerable challenges and appreciate your patience as we manage demand. Specialist availability is scheduled for regular future review and will be updated as availability changes.

Referral Pathways

Referrals can be sent via any of the following methods. All referrals are triaged for urgency by dermatologists. If a referral is urgent, please contact us directly.

Medical Objects / HealthLink
Electronic referral via secure messaging
Preferred method for GP software integration
Phone
8:30 – 4:30, Monday to Friday
Fax
(02) 4088 8086

Please have your patient call our reception team to arrange bookings after sending the referral. We do not intitiate contact with patients upon receiving referrals.

What We Treat

Scope of Practice

Dermatologists provide diagnosis and management across the full scope of dermatology. Common referral presentations include:

Medical Dermatology
Acne and acne scarring
Eczema and atopic dermatitis
Psoriasis
Scar management
Hyperhidrosis
Rosacea
Hair loss (alopecia)
Contact dermatitis and allergy testing
Nail conditions
Paediatric dermatology
Phototherapy (narrowband UVB)
Biologic therapies
Surgical Dermatology
Skin cancer diagnosis and management
Mohs micrographic surgery
Excisions and biopsies
Special Interests
Paediatric dermatology (Dr Thornton)
Mohs Micrographic surgery (Dr Barrett)
Severe acne (Dr Lamrock)
OptimaScan - AI powered 3D total body photography - Coming soon
Please call to book an appointment
Contact