Reconstructive Hand Surgery
Emergency referrals
All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Registrar. Contact through Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (07) 3646 8111 to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment.
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
- Severe/disabling symptoms of nerve compression and/or muscle weakness or wasting
- Soft tissue tumour of the hand with suspicion of malignancy
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- Frequent symptoms of nerve compression and any of the following:
- rapidly progressing disease
- recurrence of symptoms after surgery
- failed medical management
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- Intermittent/mild symptoms of nerve compression without weakness or wasting
- Secondary hand surgery after injury
- Stenosing tenosynovitis and failed medical management
- Rheumatoid hand deformity with impaired function or pain and failed maximal medical management
- Symptomatic or enlarging ganglion of the hand
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
- Splint and activity modification
- Consider steroid injections as appropriate
- Joint ROM exercises
- Occupational therapy/physiotherapy to maintain mobility/ prevent stiffness and contracture/maintain extension/prevent/control pain/strengthening
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.