Specialist referrals are often time-consuming and stressful for patients and general medical practitioners so having a specialist on site is a real bonus for staff and patients, says Dr Andrew Brown.

Dr Brown is pleased to welcome specialist dermatologist Dr Darshan Singh to Jabulani Medical in Wicksteed St for two days each month.

"It is very valuable to have a specialist on site and we are fortunate to have this kind of collegial co-operation between practitioners," he said.

"We hope to have a cardiac specialist here as well."

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Dr Singh has a practice in Palmerston North and is a consultant at both Palmerston North and Whanganui Hospitals.

Coming to New Zealand from India in 1993, Dr Singh began his specialist training which included spending two years training in England.

"I had trained as a dermatologist in India but even if my qualification was accepted here, I would still have needed to re-train," said Dr Singh.

"The skin conditions that people have in New Zealand are very different to the ones I had treated in India."

The doctor said skin cancers are very common in New Zealand whereas the majority of skin conditions he treated in India were caused by infection.

"There is a range of conditions in New Zealand of course but fair-skinned people are more susceptible to skin cancer.

Apart from trying to avoid sun damage, Dr Singh said it is important for people who think they may be at risk of developing skin cancer to have mole-map checks and notice any differences in skin texture or colouration.

Dr Singh is also available for general dermatology consultations, laser treatments and skin allergy testing.

He will be at Jabulani every second Friday of each month and appointments can be made by calling reception at the centre.