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 hip joint pain with restricted range of motion
  • acute onset limp with signs of being unwell, fever, joint irritability, not weight bearing and/or not improving
  • suspected septic arthritis or osteomyelitis.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

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

Confirmed or suspected Perthes disease.

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

Known Perthes disease with a current treatment plan.

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:
    • treatment prescribed (for example analgesics, physiotherapy)
    • relevant family history
    • x-ray: pelvis - anterior to posterior (AP) and frog leg lateral views.

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.


 

Current as at: Thursday 14 November 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing