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:
- new diagnosis of Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis (SUFE)
- suspected fracture.
Note: pelvic x-rays: anterior to posterior (AP) and frog leg lateral views are required for all children aged
> 10 years presenting with out-toeing.
When public outpatient services are not routinely provided
Out-toeing and aged < 2 years (in otherwise normal child).
Criteria to access public outpatient services
Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days. | Out-toeing with pain.
Note: consider fracture as a diagnosis. |
Category 3
Recommended to be
seen within 365 calendar days. | Out-toeing with any of the following: - unilateral deformity
- persistent or progressive deformity
- functional difficulties (excluding infants)
- thigh-foot angle > 30-40 degrees external.
|
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
- x-ray: pelvis - anterior to posterior (AP) and frog leg lateral views (if asymmetrical deformity or acute onset).
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.
