Allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion or obstruction in adult patients

​​​​​​​When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

• Aesthetic concerns.
• Allergic rhinitis responsive to intranasal corticosteroids.
• Mild, acute rhinosinusitis.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

Information to include within a referral

Required

• Reason for referral.
• Details of the presenting condition, including onset of symptoms, previous course and outcome of treatment (for example systemic and topical medications prescribed).
• Provisional diagnosis.
• Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
• details of any previous ENT surgery
• skin prick, RAST or IgE results (allergic rhinitis)
• CT scan (paranasal sinuses) results or reports
• location and test date of investigations.

If available

• Other specialist referral assessment or report (for example respiratory, sleep study, immunology).
• 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 willing to have surgery (where clinically relevant).
• 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.