Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Emergency referrals
All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call 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
- Caboolture Hospital (07) 5433 8888
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
- Abnormal endometrium on ultrasound (ie irregular/focal lesion or thickened – over 12mm)
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- No category 2 criteria
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome as per Rotterdam criteria
Diagnostic criteria for Rotterdam diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome
Two of the following three criteria are required:
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound (either 25 or more follicles per ovary or increased ovarian size (>10 cc)
- Oligo/anovulation
- Hyperandrogenism
- clinical (hirsutism or less commonly male pattern alopecia) or
- biochemical (raised FAI or free testosterone)
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
- Psychological features need to be screened for, acknowledged, discussed and counselling considered, to improve quality of life in PCOS and to facilitate effective and sustainable lifestyle change consideration of depression and/or anxiety and appropriate management
- Emphasis on healthy lifestyle, with targeted medical therapy where indicated
- Lifestyle modification (increased activity, dietary, weight, smoking, alcohol)
- simple moderate physical activity including structured exercise (at least 30 minutes/day) and optimising incidental exercise assists with weight loss and weight maintenance
- achieve optimal weight BMI 20–30
- referral to dietitian
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
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
Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.