​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:

  • malignancy with signs of spinal cord compression
  • new onset spinal pain or rapidly progressive neurological deficit (including bowel or bladder dysfunction)
  • recent trauma with exacerbated symptoms of spinal pain or neurological change
  • signs of infection in the presence of scoliotic or kyphotic deformity (for example high C-reactive protein, fever, malaise, sepsis).

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

Intradural pathology based on MRI.

Note: consider referral to neurosurgery.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

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

New signs of neurological impairment (for example cervical or thoracic myelopathy).

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

  • Significant scoliosis in a young adult.
  • Intractable spinal pain.
  • Deformity with reduced lung function.

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.

Degenerative scoliotic or kyphotic deformity.

Note: Patients are expected to have undertaken a trial of non-operative management (for example exercise and physiotherapy, optimisation of health co-morbidities) prior to referral.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically X-ray (standing whole spine view).

If available

  • MRI result of affected area.
  • 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