Antenatal and Maternity

Standard referral guidelines

If the referral is incomplete or contains insufficient information it may be returned.

To help with the accurate categorisation of  patients referrals please ensure as much information as possible is provided.

Required

• Date of referral
• Patient information:
  • Full name, date of birth, contact details, postal address or contact address (if not the same as usual residence)
  • Allergies (drug/ topical preparation)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status (if applicable)
• Referring practitioner:
  • Full name, address and contact details
  • Provider number and signature
• Patient referral information:
  • Detailed reason for referral (including the problem to be assessed, degree of loss of function, pain experienced etc.)
  • Relevant information about patient’s condition such as previous medical/ surgical treatment (include systemic and topical medications prescribed for the condition) and any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. Diabetes)
  • Relevant investigations (pathology, radiology, histology etc), preferably results from within last 4 weeks
  • Current medications and doses, prescribed and over the counter (Note any recent changes in drug therapy)

Desirable

• Relevant psychological and social issues impacted by condition (if applicable)
• Smoking & alcohol history (if applicable)
• South Sea Islander status (if applicable)
• Medicare Number (if applicable)
• Interpreter requirements (if applicable)
• Patient status – DVA, Work cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, ineligible (if applicable)

If sufficient information is not provided you and your patient will be notified in writing that we are unable to clinically categorise and place the patient on an appropriate wait list until this information is received. Once a completed referral has been accepted and categorised you will receive advice that your patient has been placed on the waiting list. Please maintain clinical supervision of your patient’s condition prior to the initial consultation with the specialist. Please notify Central Patient Intake (CPI) of any significant change in their condition.

Referral requirements

A referral may be rejected without the following information.

Specialists list