Lower urinary tract symptoms (female)
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 USS suggestive of urinary tract tumour or suspicion of malignancy
- Elevated post-void residuals (> 300mls) and hydronephrosis on USS and/or altered renal function
- Severe irritative symptoms
- Haematuria and/or sterile pyuria
- Acute urinary retention post IDC insertion
- Known or suspected neurogenic bladder and/or neurological symptoms
- Suspected urogenital fistulae
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- USS suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction
- Bladder stones
- Elevated post-void residuals > 100ml
- Nocturnal incontinence
- Suspected or proven urethral stricture and/or urethral diverticulum
- Acute change in long-term catheter
- Persistent or progressive symptoms despite maximal medical management
- Moderate to severe pelvic organ prolapse
- Previous incontinence/prolapse/pelvic surgery and/or pelvic radiation/ malignancy
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- Recurrent UTI (> 3 per year)
- Persisting bladder or urethral or perineal pain
- Socially limiting (severe)
- Failed physiotherapy/continence nurse management
- Failed anti-cholinergic and beta3 adrenergic agonist therapy
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
- Bladder chart/diary – time and volume chart
- MSU
- Physiotherapy and/or continence nurse management e.g. pelvic floor muscle exercises and bladder training
- Consider USS urinary tract and post-void residual measurement
- Consider anticholinergics: if low residuals on bladder scan, no suspicion of a sinister cause, not hypersensitive to the drug, and no history of acute angle glaucoma
- Refer to HealthPathways for assessment and management information if available
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.