​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 onset limp with signs of being unwell, fever, joint irritability, not weight bearing and/or not improving
  • new diagnosis of Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis (SUFE)
  • suspected bony or limb soft tissue malignancy
  • suspected fracture
  • suspected septic arthritis or osteomyelitis
  • suspected non-accidental injury.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

Persistent limp > 3 months with normal X-rays (for example hip or localised area).

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition including evolution and duration of symptoms.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
    • assessment of gait
    • treatment prescribed (analgesics, physiotherapy)
    • relevant family history (for example rheumatological conditions)
    • relevant pathology (for example full blood count (FBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR))
    • x-ray: pelvis - anterior to posterior (AP) and frog leg lateral views
    • ultrasound: (for example hip) (where appropriate).

If available

  • If the patient identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • If the patient is considered 'at risk' and/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.

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