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Hepatobiliary surgery

Emergency referrals

All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call Surgical Registrar to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment. Contact through:

  • Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (07) 3646 8111
  • The Prince Charles Hospital (07) 3139 4000
  • Redcliffe Hospital (07) 3883 7777

Urgent cases accepted via phone must be accompanied with a written referral and a copy faxed immediately to the Central Patient Intake Unit: 1300 364 952.

Does your patient wish to be referred?

Minimum referral criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?

Category 1

Appointment within 30 days is desirable

  • Frequent biliary colic (more than weekly) not relieved by analgesia and lasting >8hours
  • Any suspicion of hepatobillary malignancy
  • Known gallstones with ongoing biliary colic
  • Gall bladder mass/recurrent cholecystitis
  • Radiological imaging abnormality requiring investigation

Category 2

Appointment within 90 days is desirable

  • Symptomatic gallstones
  • Gallstones (following cholecystitis, recurrent biliary colic)
  • Gall bladder polyps ≥10mm
  • Chronic pancreatitis
  • Porcelain gallbladder

Category 3

Appointment within 365 days is desirable

  • Asymptomatic gallstones

If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria

Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.

If you still need to refer your patient:

  • Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
  • Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service

Other important information for referring practitioners

Not an exhaustive list

  • Lifestyle modification (increased activity, dietary, weight, smoking, alcohol)
  • Referral is not mandatory for patient with asymptomatic gallstones or gall bladder polyps on ultrasound if <10mm
  • Short attacks of biliary colic can be managed symptomatically
  • Gallstones, points for concern:
    • increasing frequency and severity of pain
    • documented jaundice or deranged LFTs
    • USS evidence of duct dilatation
    • If known to have common bile duct stones refer as Cat 1
    • If obstructive jaundice and fever – refer to emergency

Referral requirements

A referral may be rejected without the following information.

Essential referral Information

  • History including:
    • timeline of current symptoms and previous symptoms
    • number of attacks and pain severity
    • jaundice, anaemia
    • abdominal examination (abdominal mass, palpable gall bladder)
  • FBC ELFT results
  • Serum lipase is performed, especially relevant if performed at the time of an attack of pain
  • USS/CT result (USS is required for Gallstone Disease)

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • HBV HCV serology results (if available)

Out of catchment!

Metro North Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary care or services that are not provided by their local Hospital and Health Service. If your patient lives outside the Metro North Health area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, inclusion of information regarding their particular medical and social factors will assist with the triaging of your referral.

  • Impact on employment
  • Impact on education
  • Impact on home
  • Impact on activities of daily living
  • Impact on ability to care for others
  • Impact on personal frailty or safety
  • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • To establish a diagnosis
  • For treatment or intervention
  • For advice and management
  • For specialist to take over management
  • Reassurance for GP/second opinion
  • For a specified test/investigation the GP can’t order, or the patient can’t afford or access
  • Reassurance for the patient/family
  • For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
  • Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

  • Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
  • Physical findings
  • Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
  • Body mass index (BMI)
  • Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
  • Current medications and dosages
  • Drug allergies
  • Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

  • Full name (including aliases)
  • Date of birth
  • Residential and postal address
  • Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
  • Medicare number (where eligible)
  • Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
  • Preferred language and interpreter requirements
  • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • Full name
  • Full address
  • Contact details – telephone, fax, email
  • Provider number
  • Date of referral
  • Signature

  • Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
  • Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
  • Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

Send referral

Hotline: 1300 364 938

Fax: 1300 364 952

Electronic: eReferral system

Mail: Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776  Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034

Health pathways

Access to Health Pathways is free for clinicians in Metro North Brisbane.

For login details email:
healthpathways@brisbanenorthphn.org.au

Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.healthpathwayscommunity.org

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