• Suspected strangulated/incarcerated or obstruction of any hernia
• Acute, severe abdominal pain with or without associated sepsis
• New onset of obstructive jaundice
• Acute painful perianal conditions
• Acute cholecystitis
• Acute pancreatitis
• Bowel obstruction
• Severe per rectum bleeding
• Acute abscess at any site
• Acute testicular pain Gallstones with symptoms of cholangitis

• Cardio-thoracic surgery - please refer your patient to QLD Health - Metro South or QLD Health - Metro North
• Transplant Surgery - please refer your patient to QLD Health - Metro South or QLD Health - Metro North
• Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery
• Appearance medicine
• Abdominal lipectomy
• Breast reduction / augmentation
• Vasectomy
• Reversal of Vasectomy

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

• General referral information
• History including:
• timeline of current symptoms and previous symptoms
• number of attacks and pain severity
• jaundice, anaemia
• abdominal examination (abdominal mass, palpable gall bladder)
• FBC ELFT results
• Serum lipase/amylase results, especially relevant if performed at the time of an attack of pain
• Abdominal USS/CT result (USS is required for Gallstone Disease)

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

• HBV HCV serology results

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

• Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
• Lifestyle modification (increased activity, dietary, weight, smoking, alcohol)
• Referral is not mandatory for patient with asymptomatic gallstones or gall bladder polps on ultrasound if smaller <10mm
• Short attacks of biliary colic can be managed symptomatically
• Gallstones, points for concern:
• increasing frequency and severity of pain
• documented jaundice or deranged LFTs
• USS evidence of duct dilatation
• If known to have common bile duct stones refer as Cat 1
• If obstructive jaundice and fever - refer to emergency

Categorisation

Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

• General referral information
• History of hernia (position, duration, size, symptoms)
• History of attacks of obstruction/incarceration (if any)
• BMI

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

• Pathology –  as indicated by comorbidities

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

• Referrals are not mandatory for asymptomatic hernia
• If pain in testes or if hernia not obvious on examination – consider USS
• Advise the patient to return if symptoms worsen and at that point consider a referral outlining the changes in condition.
• Supportive therapy (trusses, corsets or binders)
• Education, advice and information regarding:
• • severe pain at hernia site
  • inflammation at hernia site associated with fever
  • any evidence of incarceration/bowel obstruction
• All children <14 years old with inguinal hernia referred to a paediatric/surgical provider (as per the Clinical Services Capability Framework)
• Conservative management to be considered in the very elderly +/- infirm or those declining surgery
• Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines

Categorisation

Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

• General referral information
• Pigmented lesion features: size, shape, colour, inflammation, oozing, change in sensation.

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

• Biopsy results unless clinically contraindicated.  Excision biopsy is the preferred method for biopsy suspected melanoma.
• Smoking status
• Anticoagulant therapy
• USS of lesion (for a suspicious lipoma)
• CT results – if malignancy suspected
• Photograph – with patient’s consent, where secure image transfer, identification and storage is possible

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

• Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
• Advise patient regarding sun avoidance and use of sun screens.
• Educate patient on skin cancer surveillance and arrange annual skin checks.

Categorisation

Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

• General Referral Information
• Medications
• Patients co-morbidities
• History of the condition including previous treatments tried and efficacy
• ELFT FBC Iron studies results
• Any abnormal imaging reports

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

• Previous endoscopic procedures (date, report and histology results)

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

• Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines

Categorisation

Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

• General referral information
• Relevant condition information
• Relevant pathology and imaging reports

Categorisation

Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.