Building connections at Australia’s largest dermatology conference

Building connections at Australia’s largest dermatology conference

GHLF Australia connected with patient groups, clinicians and industry leaders at the 2026 Australasian College of Dermatologists Annual Scientific Meeting in Melbourne.

by Rosemary Ainley, 17 June 2026

ACD ASM 2026

Patient organisations play a vital role in improving healthcare outcomes, yet their voices are not always represented at major medical conferences. This was not the case at the recent Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) Annual Scientific Meeting in Melbourne, where over a dozen dermatology patient and other non-profit organisations had stands in the exhibition hall.

This was GHLF Australia’s first time at this event, and we were proud to be the only condition-agnostic chronic disease organisation there. Our broad reach allows us to work with a range of organisations and individuals to build comprehensive campaigns and resources.

Our main aim was to meet representatives from other patient organisations, healthcare professionals, industry leaders and other delegates to explore our shared interests and goals.

We also took the opportunity to spread awareness of GHLF Australia and share postcards featuring our extensive hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and psoriasis (PsO) education and resource hubs.

Key takeaways

  • The patient experience is highly valued in the dermatology community.
  • Many patient groups face similar advocacy challenges despite representing different conditions.
  • Access to specialist care and affordable treatments remains a major concern.
  • Nurses and trainees showed strong interest in partnering with patient organisations.
  • Holistic approaches to treatment are a growing focus in hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriasis research.

Connecting with dermatology patient organisations

According to the Australasian Dermatology Registry, about a million people in Australia will be diagnosed with a skin condition, with many cases persisting throughout their lives.

The Healthdirect website defines dermatologists as “trained specialist doctors who have completed six years of general medical training and four more years of specialty training through the Australasian College of Dermatologists”. There are believed to be over 3,000 skin conditions, including skin cancers, acne, rosacea, infections, alopecia and inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, so we are desperate to see more dermatologists practicing in Australia.

The patient organisations attending the event represented a range of people, from those with widely prevalent conditions to those with fewer than 100 cases in Australia. The organisations included:

A highlight of the event for us was the patient roundtable, where patient representatives met with ACD staff to share each organisation’s highlights from the last year, learn about ACD’s health professional training initiatives and share perspectives on the perceived role of dermatologists.

We were encouraged to see patient representatives having many informal chats with one another while at their stands. Despite representing very different conditions, many representatives highlighted similar challenges, including the affordability of treatments, access to specialist care, the cost of wound care and sun-protection products and the need for greater public awareness.

This display depicts how the pain of hidradenitis suppurativa can make relaxing unbearable

Rosemary Ainley, GHLF Australia’s Advocacy Manager with Steph Friend, Founder of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Australia

Connecting with dermatology health professionals

All the patient representatives were there to advocate for more awareness of their conditions and more research into treatments that will help improve their quality of life. While many delegates engaged enthusiastically with patient organisations, there may be opportunities at future conferences to further encourage interaction between delegates and patient representatives, helping to strengthen collaboration and understanding.

We noticed that the delegates who engaged with the patient representatives included nurses and dermatology trainees. Some nurses asked for resources to share with their patients, and we observed one trainee asking for help to develop an education project for other medical students. These were excellent examples of the value of collaboration between health professionals and patient organisations.

Connecting with dermatology industry representatives

The Exhibition Hall was filled with vibrant exhibits from pharmaceutical, skin care and other dermatology industry organisations, offering attendees valuable insights into the latest developments across the sector.

We took the opportunity to talk with various industry representatives about the work they are doing to improve the lives of people with skin conditions. It was encouraging to learn about emerging treatments and diagnostic tools that may ultimately improve outcomes for people living with chronic and often debilitating skin conditions.

Insights from scientific sessions

Finally, we took the time to attend the popular HS and psoriasis scientific sessions, each featuring the work of experienced and emerging researchers. Some of the key themes we noticed from sessions included:

  • The importance of treating people with HS and PsO holistically and ensuring that impacts on quality of life and mental health are included in care plans.
  • The relationship between these conditions and common metabolic comorbidities, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.
  • The benefits and risks of current treatments, including the risk of infection and the importance of vaccinations in people on immunosuppressive therapies.

Where to from here?

The relationships developed during the event will help GHLF Australia continue advocating for people living with hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis and other chronic conditions. We look forward to building on these connections and sharing new resources and initiatives in the months ahead.

Become a GHLF Australia member

You’ll receive our exclusive newsletter full of facts and tips to help you live well with chronic illness and make informed decisions about your care. We’ll also send you updates on our activities, events and advocacy opportunities. For more information, see our Join us page.

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