What can I do to make my appointment run as smoothly as possible?
Please bring a list of your medications and allergies, along with key details about your rash or moles (e.g., onset, changes, previous treatments). Additional concerns may need to be addressed at a separate appointment. Your appointment is scheduled to assess the issue you were referred for. To ensure timely care for all patients, additional issues may require a new referral and appointment.
I missed my appointment. What happens next?
We confirm all appointments by phone and with text reminders in many cases.
If you miss a medical appointment and wish to reschedule, there is a $60 fee. For missed cosmetic appointments or mole mapping visits, there is a 100$ fee. Please provide 24 hours' notice for rescheduling. While we understand emergencies can arise, we strive to minimize last-minute cancellations to respect everyone's time, given the high demand for dermatology services in our province.
How do I schedule an appointment?
For medical concerns, a referral from your family physician is required. Your referral will be triaged based on urgency and severity, and wait times will vary. Our office will contact you when it's your turn to be seen. For cosmetic services or 3D mole mapping, you can schedule an appointment directly by calling our office or using the online booking link on our website.
How do I get an appointment to see a dermatologist for medial issues?
A referral from your family doctor or another physician is required to see a dermatologist for medical skin concerns. This is a standard requirement across Canada. Referral letters provide essential information, including the reason for the visit, your medical history, medications, and other relevant details. For minor skin issues, family physicians are often able to diagnose and treat effectively, saving you the wait for a specialist.
Can I come back as often as I like?
After your visit, your dermatologist will send a letter to the referring doctor with the diagnosis and treatment recommendations. In most cases, treatment can proceed without a follow-up, but for complex issues or specific medications (e.g., immunosuppressants), a follow-up appointment may be required.
I have been referred for a skin cancer, but I would also like to talk to the dermatologist about my other skin concerns. Can I do this today?
We rely on family physicians to assess skin concerns and determine if dermatology input is needed, helping manage long wait times. Your appointment time is based on the referral details, so additional concerns not discussed with your family doctor may not be addressed.
I don’t like this mole; can you remove it?
We only surgically remove lesions or moles that are concerning for skin cancer. The removal of benign moles (nevi) is not covered by the Ministry of Health and must be booked as a cosmetic appointment.
Why is my doctor running late?
While we strive to stay on schedule, we dedicate as much time as needed to address each patient’s condition and treatments, and occasionally handle emergency skin cancer surgeries, which may cause delays. Your appointment is scheduled for 10-15 minutes. If you're more than a few minutes late, you may need to reschedule to allow adequate time for us to address your issue and ensure we stay on time for other patients. Please aim to arrive 5-10 minutes early to complete registration.