Mater Private Specialist Quick Find

Respiratory and Sleep Medicine – public patients 

Clinical Lead - Dr Lucy Barr

How to send a referral

Catchment criteria applies for referrals for this service. Patient referrals from outside the Mater SEQ Catchment (which includes Metro South and West Moreton Hospital and Health Services) may not be accepted.

Emergency

If any of the following are present or suspected, phone 000 to arrange immediate transfer to the emergency department or seek emergency medical advice if in a remote region:

View list of conditions:

Asthma 

  • Acute exacerbation of asthma not responding to therapy
  • Asthma with any of the following concerning features:
    • coexistent pneumothorax
    • pneumonia
    • silent chest 
    • cardiovascular compromise
    • altered consciousness
    • relative bradycardia
    • decreasing rate and depth of breathing

Bronchiectasis / chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD)

  • Bronchiectasis / CSLD with any of the following concerning features:
    • altered consciousness
    • hypoxia (<90% oxygen saturation) when this is not normal for the patient
    • evidence of significant infective exacerbation (fever and/or high volume purelent sputum)
    • new haemaoptysis (clots or more than streaks) 
    • new CXR changes indicative of cavitation, consolidation of pneumonia

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

  • Acute exacerbation not responding to outpatient therapy
  • Acute respiratory failure 

Cystic Fibrosis 

  • Cystic fibrosis with any of the following concerning features:
    • ​Respiratory distress
    • New haemaoptysis (clots or more than streaks) 
    • Pleural effusion
    • Consolidation / pneumonia / fever
    • Non-response to antibiotics for chest infection

Haemoptysis without known lung disease 

  • Significant haemoptysis defined as repeated expectoriation of 5ml (1tsp) or single episode of >20ml (1tbsp) 
  • Any haemoptysis with acute dysponea, measured hypoxia, altered consciousness, hypotension, tachycardia or chest pain 

Intersitial Lung Disease (ILD)

  • Acute exacerbations of known ILD with any of the following concerning features:
    • severely breathless / class 4 dyspnoea (ADLs affected by dyspnoea) 
    • demonstrated worsening hypoxaemia
    • new arrhythmia / chest pain 
  • Newly diagnosed or suspected ILD with radiographic evidence with class 4 dyspnoea (ADLs affected by dyspnoea) 

Lung Cancer 

  • Known or suspected lung cancer with any of the following concerning features:
    • Massive haemoptysis
    • Suspected large airway obstruction
    • Severe dyspnoea
    • SVC obstruction
    • Hpercalcaemia / hyponatremia with confusion
    • Symptomatic pleural effusion 

Pleural Disorders 

  • Large asymptomatic pleural effusion
  • Acute pneumothorax 

Pulmonary Hypertension

  • Acute decompression (hypoxia or right heart failure) with pulmonary hypertension

Sarcoidosis 

  • Hypercalcaemia with acute kidney injury

Shortness of breath / dyspnoea without a known cause 

  • Dyspnoea of uncertain origin with any of the following concerning features:
    • Acute dyspnoea at rest
    • Demonstrated hypoxia (SpO2 <88%) 
    • Accompanied by confusion

Tuberculosis / non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infections

  • Suspected tuberculosis with significant haemoptysis (defined as repeated expectoration of 5ml (1tsp) of bleed or single episode of >20ml (1 tbsp)

 

Scope of Service

Conditions out of scope

The following conditions are not routinely provided publicly at Mater Hospital Brisbane. Please consider private referral if appropriate:

View list of conditions:

  • Chest wall pain
  • Non-cardiac chest pain
  • Occupational Lung Assessment
  • Respiratory function testing in the absence of a consultation
  • Direct Screening TB - should be referred to contact and immigration screening (TB Control Centre) 

Conditions in scope

Please note this is not an exhaustive list of all conditions for outpatient service and does not exclude consideration for referral unless specifically stipulated in the above 'out of scope' section.

Asthma

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Approximate age at diagnosis 
  • Duration and severity of symptoms (breathlessness, chest tightness, wheezing and cough) 
  • Frequency of exacerbations 
  • Management including:
    • current medications (including complete list of all patient's medications)
    • previous tried respiratory medications 
  • Oral Prednisolone use
  • Previous hospitalisations 
  • Allergies 
  • Spirometry (if available)

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • Allergy testing results 
  • Triggers
  • Assessment of adherence to treatment
  • Smoking status 
  • Family history of asthma
  • FBC
  • CXR
  • Comorbid conditions 

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines.
  • The aim of Asthma management is to control the disease. Complete control is defined as:
    • No day or night symptoms
    • Minimal or no need for beta agonist treatment (less than 2 times per week) 
    • No exacerbations
    • No limitations on physical activity 
    • Minimal side effects of treatment 

Clinical Resources

Patient Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

History of life threatening asthma in the past 12 months requiring ventilation or ICU admission

Unstable asthma with consistent FEV1 < 60% predicted 

Asthma caused or exacerbated by workplace exposure where patient is unable to work as a result

 

Inadequate asthma control as defined in Other Useful Information despite optimal treatment

Asthma related hospital admission/s in the last 3 months

Need for oral corticosteroids on more than 1 occaision in the last year

Asthma with frequent after-hours attendance (ED or after hours GP) despite optimal treatment

Asthma caused or exacerbated by workplace exposure where patient is still able to work as a result

Uncertainty about diagnosis 

Asthma education where this cannot be provided in primary care

 

Bronchiectasis / Chronic Suppurative Lung Disease (CSLD)

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • History of the disease
    • duration
    • severity 
    • frequency of exacerbations
  • Management to date
  • Medications including previously tried medications if associated with treatment failure or problems 
  • Results of previous sputum cultures 
  • Results of previous Chest CT (not during an exacerbation) 

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • History of childhood respiratory infections (eg Whooping Cough) 
  • Family history of Cystic Fibrosis
  • Presence of cor pulmonale or sinus disease 
  • FBC, ESR, Immunoglobulins with IgG sub class results
  • CXR
  • Spirometry 

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines
  • Ongoing treatment requires regular and coordinated primary health care and specialist review, including monitoring for complications and comorbidities. Chest physiotherapy and regaular exercise should be encouraged, nutrition optimised, environmental pollutants (including tobacco smoke) avoided, and vaccines administered according to national immunisation schedules 

Clinician Resources

Patient Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Chronic bronchiectasis / CSLD with any of the following:

  • recurrent haemoptysis
  • rapidly decreasing exercise tolerance
  • unintentional weight loss

Chronic bronchiectasis / CSLD with frequent (>3 per year) infective exacerbations despite optimal therapy 

Stable symptomatic bronchiectasis / CSLD

Asymptomatic newly diagnosed or suspected bronchiectasis / CSLD

 

Chronic Cough

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Symptoms
    • duration and severity 
    • associated syncope, incontinence, SOB
  • Relevant examination findings
    • history of ENT problems or GOR
    • check uniform lung expansion and any percussive changes 
  • Medications including results of treatment trial as per defined in Other Useful Information
  • FBC, ELFT and ESR results
  • CXR

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • Symptoms
    • Any diurnal variation in severity (e.g. nocturnal or positional) 
    • Triggers e.g air temp, food, talking, exercise 
    • Swallowing difficulties 
    • Voice change 
  • High resolution chest CT (if already performed)
  • Spirometry pre and post bronchodilator
  • Smoking and occupational history if relevant 
  • Previous gastroscopy findings

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines
  • There are many causes of persistent cough. These can be categorised into:
    • Respiratory 
    • ENT (PN drip) 
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Drug related (ACEI, aspirin, beta blockers) 
    • Cardiac (heart failure) 

Treatment Trial 

  • Ensure occult sino nasal disease, unresolved infectious bronchitis and acid reflux have been considered and treated appropriately.  ACE inhibitors should be ceased and an alternate medication substituted (e.g. angiotensin 2 receptor antagonists).
  1. Four (4) week trial of PPI 
  2. If unsuccessful, or symptoms of PN drop, commence a six (6) week trial of intra nasal steroid
  3. If unsuccessful, or evidence of asthma, commence a four (4) week trial of inhaled steroids 
  4. If unsuccessful, complete CT chest scan (including high resolution images) and refer to specialist.

Clinician Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

No Category 1 Criteria

 

No Category 2 Criteria 

Cough present for > 8 weeks with normal CXR and normal spirometry and no improvement following treatment trial as specified in Other Useful Information

 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Duration and severity of symptoms including impact on ADLs 
  • Current and previous treatment and efficacy 
  • Comorbidities 
  • Smoking / occupational history 
  • Spirometry (if available)  
  • CXR (within last 12 months) 

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • History of childhood / adolescent lung disease 
  • SaO2 or ABG
  • Vaccination status 
  • FBC, ELFT results 
  • Respiratory function tests
  • Exercise oximetry 

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant HealthPathhways or local guidelines

Clinician Resources

Patient Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

COPD with chronic respiratory failure 

COPD with worsening right heart failure 

 

 

 

 

 

Recurrent (>3 in 12 months) acute exacerbations or acute presentations to emergency 

Uncontrolled but stable symptoms on daily basis that limit ADLs / Class 4 dyspnoea

Requiring assessment for oxygen therapy

COPD with demonstrated severe airflow obstruction (FEV1 <40%) 

Stable COPD for consideration for pulmonary rehabilitation or educations (where community services are not available) 

 

Cystic Fibrosis

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Medications 
  • Symptoms
    • Duration 
    • Severity 
    • Non-pulmonary CF problems 
    • Recent admissions 
  • Previous Centre of Care (if transitioning patient) 

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • Family history
  • Spirometry
  •  FBC, ELFT results
  • Calcium, Vitamin D, Caogulation Profile, Fasting Glucose, Fat Solouble Vitamin Levels and Iron Study results 
  • CXR  / CT and any other relevant imaging 
  • Any recent sputum culture results
  • Genotype
  • Weight history / trend

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines
  • All patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis should be managed by a cystic fibrosis service in a tertiary facility

Clinician resources

Patient Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Newly diagnosed Cystic Fibrosis

Patients with known Cystic Fibrosis transitioning from a paediatric or other adult centre who have recent clinical instability and / or severe lung disease (FEV1 <40%) 

Suspected or undiagnosed Cystic Fibrosis

Patients with known Cystic Fibrosis transitioning from a paediatric or other adult centre who have recent clinical instability or moderate lung disease (FEV1 >40%) 

No Category 3 Criteria 

 

Haemoptysis without known lung disease

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Comorbidities 
  • Medication list (particularly anticoagulants) 
  • Recent clinical events (particularly viral symptoms, infective bronchitis) 
  • FBC, ELFT, coagulation screen results
  • CXR

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • CT scan - thorax +/- sinuses (if available) 
  • INR results if on warfarin
  • Previous lung function test results (if available) 
  • Smoking history

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant 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.

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Recurrent low volume haemoptysis on a daily basis over three days 

Intermittent haemoptysis over a three week period 

No category 2 criteria 

No category 3 criteria 

 

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Duration and severity of ILD or symptoms
  • Management to date
  • Other relevant medical conditions (particularly connective tissue disorders) 
  • Medications
  • Occupational History 
  • CXR
  • High resolution CT (HRCT) Chest 

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • Previous lung function tests
  • FBC
  • Auto-antibody screen results (ANF (plus ENF if positive) plus rheumatoid factor) if available 

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines

Clinician Resources

Patient Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Newly diagnosed or suspected ILD with Class 2 / 3 dyspnoea

Known ILD with worsening hypoxaemia or right heart failure 

Chronic ILD with Class 1 dyspnoea 

Newly diagnosed or suspected ILD without symptoms 

Known ILD with stable symptoms requring specialist opinion 

 

Lung Cancer

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Past medical history 
  • Current medications
  • Previous cancer history including non-lung cancer treatment
  • Relevant imaging (CXR / CT) - including previous images 
  • Smoking history in pack years (pack years = number of years smoking x number of packs per day)

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • Occupational history 
  • FBC, ELFTs and any other relevant pathology results 
  • Pathology results of previous cancer 

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Please refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines
  • Please ensure patients bring radiology images to appointments 

Clinician Resources

Patient Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Suspected lung cancer

Previously treated lung cancer with suspected recurrence 

Pulmonary nodules <1cm (incidental finding on imaging)

No Category 3 criteria 

 

Pleural Disorders

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • History of symptoms
  • Smoking history 
  • History of occupational exposure (e.g. asbestos) or TB exposure 
  • Cardiac history 
  • History of previous malignancy 
  • CT (thorax)

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • FBC, ELFTs, coagulation study results 
  • Echocardiogram (if available) 
  • VQ scan (if available) 

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant HealthPhathways 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.

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Pleural effusion

 

 

Extensive pleural disease including:

  • pleural thickening
  • pleural calcification

Pleural plaques

 

Pulmonary Hypertension

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Details of previous
    • cardiac disease
    • respiratory disease
    • venous thromboembolism
  • Degree of functional impairment
  • Known history of connective tissue disorders 
  • Medication history 
  • Relevant imaging (CT thorax, CTPA, V/Q scan or echo) 

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • FBC, ELFT, ANF, ENA results
  • Lung function tests (if available) 
  • Family history 
  • Sleep investigations

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines

Clinician Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Newly diagnosed pulmonary hypertension without known heart or lung disease

Known pulmonary hypertension with Class 3/4 dyspnoea (ADLS affected by dyspnoea)

Known pulmonary hypertension with deteriorating functional status over 3 months

Known pulmonary hypertension with deteriorating functional status over the past year

Known pulmonary hypertension with Class 1/2 dyspnoea 

Stable pulmonary hypertension for specialist opinion 

 

Recurrent respiratory infections without known lung disease

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Description of lower respiratory tract symptoms with supporting investigations e.g. CXR, sputum culture, WCC
  • Details of antibiotics previously prescribed for respiratory tract infections

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • No additional information

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines
  • Please consider that most adults with recurrent lower respiratory infection will have COPD, bronchiectasis or aspiration

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

No category 1 criteria

 

 

More than 3-4 presentations of lower respiratory infections requiring antibiotics in the past 12 months

No category 3 criteria 

 

Sarcoidosis

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Details of symptoms including duration and severity 
  • CXR and / or CT scan

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • Sputum Culture (including TB culture) 
  • FBC, ELFT, ESR, ACE level, calcium level results
  • Lung function and gas transfer studies (if available)

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines

Clinician Resources

Patient Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Known or suspected sarcoidosis with any of the following concerning features:

  • visual disturbance 
  • hypercalcaemia
  • palpitations
  • pre-syncope
  • class 3/4 dyspnoea (ADLS affected by dyspnoea) 

Known sarcoidosis with progressive symptoms

Suspected sarcoidosis

Known sarcoidosis requiring specialist review 

 

Shortness of breath / dyspnoea without a known cause

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Details and timeline of symptoms including variability and severity 
  • Relevant medical conditions
  • CXR
  • Smoking and occupational history if relevant 

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • FBC, ELFT, ESR, TFT results
  • Lung function pre and post bronchodilatory 
  • ECG
  • Sputum M/C/S if productive cough
  • Other relevant imaging
  • Pulse oximetry 

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • There are many causes of shortness of breath. These can be categorised into
    • Respiratory - Infective, related to chronic lung disease (COPD, bronchiectasis, restrictive LD, occupational LD, asthma, TB) cancer, foreign body, allergic, sarcoid
    • Cardiac - heart failure, ischaemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, pulmonary HT) 
    • Vascular (pumonary emboli, infection) 
    • ENT / endocrine related (laryngeal obstruction, thyroid enlargement causing tracheal compression, thyroidtoxicosis) 
    • Gastrointestinal (GORD, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, aspiration) 
    • Haematological (anaemia, laeukaemias) 
    • Neurological/ Neuromuscular (degenerative MS, MND, myasthenia gravis, Guillian-Barre syndrome) 
    • Psychogenic (anxiety) 
    • Chronic debility or obesity related
    • Drug related 
  • It is important to at least arrive at a probable diagnosis as this will determine which specialty to refer to. It should be possible to arrive at a diagnosis in most cases by careful history and examination with directed investigations 
  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines

Clinician Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Class 3/4 dyspnoea (ADLS affected by dyspnoea)

Oxygen saturations 90-92% at rest

Unexplained chronic dyspnoea of uncertain origin 

No category 3 criteria

 

Sleep disordered breathing (suspected or confirmed)

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • History of sleep disorder including duration and severity of symptoms, snoring, witnessed apnoeas, restless sleep, unrefreshing sleep, tiredness, inappropriate falling asleep 
  • Management to date including any previously tried appliances (mandibular advancement splint, CPAP) and response
  • Current medications
  • Epworth Sleepiness Scale score
  • Full report from all previous sleep studies (if already performed)
  • Occupation
  • Driving license type
  • History of motor vehicle accidents or sleepiness / inattention when driving 

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • No additional information 

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Referring doctor must assess immediate risk of driving and provide appropriate counselling based on Assessing Fitness to Drive Guidelines (including avoiding driving altogether if necessary)
  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines 

Clinician resources

Patient Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Suspected or confirmed sleep apnoea with any of the following:

  • Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > or equal to 16
  • Dozing while driving at least 1-2 times per month
  • MVA or work related accident related to sleepiness/inattention in last 12 months
  • Unstable cardiovascular disease eg overt heart failure

Suspected or confirmed sleep hyperventilation with any of the following:

  • Progressive neuromuscular disorder
  • Established daytime hypercapnia (as demonstrated on ABG (if performed))
  • Diagnostic sleep investigation demonstrating mean sleep saturation 85-90% (Mean sleep saturation <85% should ideally be seen within 2 weeks)

Suspected or confirmed sleep apnoea with any of the following:

  • Epworth Sleepiness Scale score 12-15
  • Dozing while driving in last 12 months
  • MVA or work-related accident related to sleepiness/inattention in last 5 years
  • Occupation involving driving / heavy machinery operation
  • Significant comorbidities for example pulmonary hypertension, previous stroke, heart failure
  • Significant cardiac arrhythmias, neurological disease, acromegaly or hypothyroidism
  • Respiratory Disturbance Index of  > or equal to 30 respiratory event per hour on a diagnostic sleep investigation

Suspected or confirmed sleep apnoea that do not meet criteria for Category 1 or 2 but still require specialist review

 

Sleep disorders excluding sleep disordered breathing

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • History of sleep disorder including frequency, duration and severity of symptom
  • Management to date and efficacy
  • Current medications
  • Epworth Sleepiness Scale score
  • Full report from all previous investigations (if already performed)

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • No additional information

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Referring doctor must assess immediate risk of driving and provide appropriate counselling based on Assessing Fitness to Drive Guidelines (including avoiding driving altogether if necessary) 
  • Refer to relevant HealthPathways or local guidelines

Clinician Resources

Patient Resources

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Unexplained hypersomnolence (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > or equal to 16) not attributed to inadequate sleep hygiene or environmental factors

 

 

 

 

 

Suspected or confirmed narcolepsy

Suspected or confirmed parasomnia or nocturnal seizures with injury to self or others

Suspected or confirmed sleep related movement disorder with injury to self or others

Unexplained hypersomnolence (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > or equal to 12) not attributed to inadequate sleep hygiene or environmental factors

Suspected or confirmed sleep disorders (other than sleep apnoea) that do not meet criteria for Category 1 or 2 but still require specialist review

 

Tuberculosis / non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infections

Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)

  • Duration and severity of symptoms including dyspnoea, cough, chest pain, weight loss, night sweats, systemic symptoms
  • History of chronic lung disease
  • Travel history / immigrant status
  • Known contact with tuberculosis 
  • History of HIV / AIDs or other immunosupression
  • CXR
  • FBC, ELFT results
  • Sputum culture results 

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

  • Chest CT (if available)

Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)

  • Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines.
  • Where TB is considered highly likely, the case should be discussed with the MSCTBS without awaiting sputum culture results.
  • Where TB is considered unlikely or where non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection is suspected (such as chronic cough), it is appropriate to perform diagnostic tests before considering referral including sputum mycobacterial cultures and radiology tests (chest X-ray or HRCT scan of the chest).
  • Contact details for your local tuberculosis service can be found on the Queensland Health website: Contact a tuberculosis service webpage

Categorisation

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

Category 1 – urgent

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days

Category 2 - Priority

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days

Category 3 - Routine

Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days

Suspected or proven pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis

Suspected non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infections with cavitary lung disease or significant haemoptysis

Suspected pulmonary non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infection 

Suspected latent tuberculosis

No category 3 criteria

 

How to refer

If referral for care is indicated please list all of the General Referral Information, reason for request, and essential information as indicated below.

Referrals can be sent by:

 

Smart Referrals

Digital referrals in your practice software that include templates linked with referral criteria for quality handover for any public hospital

SmartForms

Cloud solution in your practice software that eliminates the need for template management

Secure messaging

Medical Objects:   HM4101000R8

HealthLink EDI: materref     

Fax         07 3163 8548

 

For fax and secure messaging our latest Mater Adult Referral Form or Antenatal Form are available to  embed into most major Practice Management software systems.

Bulk Billed Clinics

Mater Health offers patients the opportunity to attend bulk billed clinics. To provide your patient with the opportunity to attend a bulk billed clinic, please provide a named referral to one of the specialists listed above.

Contact Us

If you would like to discuss a referral, including clinical criteria, or update the status of a current patient please contact our priority GP phone line on 07 3163 2200 

Current Waiting Time for Appointments

We provide up to date data on how long patients are waiting for their first appointment by specialty here.

Referral Guideline Development

These Mater Referral Guidelines have been developed locally by GPs and specialists to support safe and quality referral to publicly funded specialist outpatient services. 

 

Content last reviewed: 13 December 2023

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