Emergency

If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergency medical advice via phone to on-call consultant/registrar:

  • acute joint pain with restricted range of motion
  • acute onset limp with signs of being unwell, fever, joint irritability, not weight bearing and/or not improving
  • suspected fracture
  • suspected septic arthritis.

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

Child with in-toeing who has been walking for < 6 months.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.

  • In-toeing with any of the following:
    • unilateral
    • severe
    • causing tripping in a school-age child
    • residual in-toeing in child aged ≥ 10 years.
  • Symptomatic in-toeing with functional impairment.
  • Cosmetic concern to the patient and family for a child aged ≥ 12 years.
    Note: it is very unlikely that any treatment will be required.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition, including symptoms and their duration, nature of pain, impairment and functional impact.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
    • treatment prescribed (physiotherapy, orthotics)
    • relevant family history (for example persistent in-toeing).

If available

  • If the patient identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • If the patient is considered 'at risk' or among a vulnerable, disadvantaged or priority population.
  • If the patient is suitable for virtual care or telehealth.
  • If the patient has special needs or requires reasonable adjustments to be made.
  • If the patient requires an interpreter (if so, list preferred language).

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.

Contact us

If you would like to provide feedback about the contents of this page, please submit an enquiry to the SRC project team at NSW Health.

Submit an enquiry

Current as at: Monday 17 June 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing