What happens when a GP and dermatologist work side by side? The future of dermatology care may look less like a traditional referral pathway and more like collaboration — a model that could reshape how patients access care.
In this episode of Focused Practice Conversations, practice operations expert Matt Woollard speaks with consultant dermatologist Dr Leona Yip and Specialist GP Dr Lauren Ries about their experience working together within the same clinical setting at Skin Partners in Brisbane.
Together, they explore how a GP–dermatologist partnership can work in practice — from patient pathways and day-to-day collaboration, to the benefits for both patients and clinicians.
They discuss:
They also share the lessons they have learned from working side by side, what surprised them along the way, and their advice for GPs and specialists interested in developing similar approaches.
Whether you are interested in building a skin-focused practice, improving collaboration with specialists, or simply curious about how healthcare delivery models are evolving, this conversation offers insights into what is possible when clinicians work together.
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Want to learn more from Dr Leona Yip? Join our next free webinar (in collaboration with CeraVe and DERCOS): 🗓️ Tuesday 18 August 2026 at 7pm AEST |
Prefer a visual format? Watch this episode on the HealthCert Education YouTube channel.
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Listen to all episodes in the Focused Practice Conversations series.
Focused Practice ConversationsHealthCert Education's Focused Practice Conversations podcast series explores how GPs build focused areas of practice, why they chose that path, what changed in their clinic, and whether going deeper into one niche was ultimately worth it. |
Hosted by Matt WoollardHealthcare Entrepreneur & Business Development Consultant Matt began his healthcare career in 2000 as the second employee of Skin Alert Skin Cancer Clinics, where he worked alongside founder Paul Elmslie to grow the business from the ground up to a network of 14 clinics nationwide over seven years. As Chief Executive Officer of National Skin Cancer Centres, established in 2016, Matt led the business through a period of significant expansion before its successful acquisition by Sonic Clinic Services. With a deep knowledge of skin cancer medicine, Medicare frameworks, and the operational realities of primary care, Matt's core expertise lies in business development, identifying, structuring, and growing healthcare assets in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape. Today, Matt consults across the broader healthcare sector, partnering with large corporates and private equity firms to develop and de-risk healthcare assets. He remains active in skin cancer medicine and brings the same sharp commercial lens to emerging opportunities in women's and mental health. |
Guest: Dr Leona Yip
Dr Yip served as an Editorial Consultant for The British Journal of Dermatology from 2018-2021. Dr Yip is a member of the Dermatology Expert Group involved with the formulation of Dermatology Therapeutic Guidelines in Australia. She is currently the Lead Dermatologist for Queensland Cricket.
Guest: Dr Lauren Ries
After working across a range of hospital departments at the Mater Hospital and Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Dr Ries followed her passion for General Practice — a specialty she loves for its variety, continuity of care, and the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients.
Dr Ries enjoys all aspects of General Practice, with a special interest in Skin Cancer Medicine, Dermatology, and Women’s Health. She is passionate about helping patients feel confident in their skin and supported in their overall health, and she takes pride in providing thorough, thoughtful care. Dr Ries is delighted to be part of the team at Skin Partners, where she continues to refine and expand her dermatology skills.
You can self-record CPD for this podcast. If you consume educational content on this blog, you can Quick Log CPD hours with the RACGP/ACRRM via the usual self-submission process. You will be asked to reflect on what you have learned, and you will require supporting evidence such as a screenshot. For more information, view the: RACGP CPD guide | ACRRM CPD guide