Do I need a referral letter to be seen by a doctor at Saskatoon Dermatology Centre?

Yes, as a specialist office you do need a letter from another physician or a nurse practitioner in order to be scheduled for consultation with a physician at SDC. Referrals are accepted from walk-in clinics for patients who don’t have a primary care clinic. 

Our Cosmetic Clinic – you do not need a referral to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our consultants to discuss skin concerns, skincare recommendations or treatment recommendations. Please note that these treatments are not covered by Saskatchewan Health and you will not be seen by one of the doctors as that would be at our medical clinic. 

 

I've previously been seen at Saskatoon Dermatology Centre. Do I need another referral letter to come back?

As a specialist office our goal is not to take over your care but to provide your family physician or nurse practitioner guidance on diagnoses and management of your skin condition. Once you are under adequate control our goal is to transition your care back to your health care provider. Thus if we haven’t reviewed care after 6 months you are considered discharged back into your health care provider’s care. If further re-assessments are required or your skin condition is no longer under control you will need to be re-referred to us with an update from your primary provider to be seen again. 

 

Are there geographic limitations to who can be seen at Saskatoon Dermatology Centre?

We aim to provide care for all Saskatchewan residents, but preference is given to those in Saskatoon and Northern Saskatchewan. Those in Southern Saskatchewan should seek care closer to Regina. 

 

How long does it take to get an appointment after referral letter is sent?

We triage all referrals according to urgency and cannot give out a specific wait-time, as they continually change depending on demand. 

 

How can I get my prescription renewed?

Most prescription renewals, especially prescription creams, ointments, and gels can be renewed by your own physician or nurse practitioner. Other prescriptions may need to be renewed by one of our physicians. Contact us to set up an appointment to have your prescription renewed. We can not renew prescriptions for patients that are no longer patients at Saskatoon Dermatology Centre. Note that we need a referral letter on file approximately each six-months for you to remain an ongoing patient of Saskatoon Dermatology Centre. 

 

How long is the waiting list?

The time to see a physician varies with the reported urgency of your case in the referral letter from your doctor. For most cases, the wait is approximately 6-12 months.

 

What is the no-show policy?

No-show violations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Patients who don’t show up for scheduled appointments are blocking access for other patients who would have benefited from that appointment time and thus extend our waitlist further. Depending on the circumstances, patients may be charged a no-show fee or permanently discharged from the practice.