Seizures/Epilepsy
Emergency referrals
All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call Neurology 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
- New onset epilepsy with more than 1 seizure
- Frequent seizure activity without current anticonvulsants use
- Pregnancy in known or new onset epileptic
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- Isolated first seizure without concerning features
- Poorly controlled epilepsy (e.g. increased frequency of seizures, change in seizure activity) in patient with good adherence to medical treatment
- Seizure in patient in whom livelihood depends on driving ability
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- Chronic epilepsy without concerning features
- Epilepsy advice and management plan including driving recommendations and decreasing anti-epileptic medication
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
- Ensure compliance, consider drug levels
- Optimise current drug therapy/consider increasing dose if already on medication
- Exclude drug interactions e.g. concurrent cytochrome inducers, binding agents
- Reconsider diagnosis if no response to medication
- Treat any inter-current infections and co-morbidities
- Address any lifestyle issues e.g. adequate sleep, stress, alcohol, recreational drugs
- Neuroimaging to rule out space occupying lesion or intracranial pathology
- EEG
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.