​​​​​​​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

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Unilateral nasal obstruction with any of the following:
    • new onset offensive or bloody discharge
    • new onset proptosis or ipsilateral visual changes.

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

Recurrent epistaxis.

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.

  • Nasal obstruction and any of the following:
    • bilateral​​ symptoms
    • persisting polyps despite preliminary course of oral steroids with at least 8 weeks of inhaled corticosteroid
    • post-trauma
    • deviated nasal septum.
  • Nasal obstruction contributing to inability to use CPAP.
  • Allergic rhinitis with failed maximal medical management.

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.

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