Complex paediatric patients transitioning to adult services

ADULT

  • If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or follow local emergency care protocols or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

    • Any sudden decompensation in clinical condition that carries risk of serious adverse events or death
    • Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
    • Refer patients to appropriate specialty in cases of clear evidence of advanced single organ system disease.
    • Patients with cystic fibrosis should be managed by statewide cystic fibrosis services where possible.
    • Ensure that patients with conditions for which patient support groups exist that those patients in need of simple advice or support are familiarised with these groups.
Minimum Referral Criteria
Category 1
(appointment within 30 calendar days)
  • Potentially unstable congenital disorders or diseases and injuries acquired in childhood or adolescence that previously required ongoing review and management
Category 2
(appointment within 90 calendar days)
  • Stable congenital disorders or diseases and injuries acquired in childhood or adolescence that previously required ongoing review and management
Category 3
(appointment within 365 calendar days)
  • No category 3 criteria

Please insert the below information and minimum referral criteria into referral

1. Reason for request Indicate on the referral

  • To establish a diagnosis
  • For treatment or intervention
  • For advice and management
  • For specialist to take over management
  • Reassurance for GP/second opinion
  • For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
  • Reassurance for the patient/family
  • For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
  • Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

2. Essential referral information Referral will be returned without this

  • Relevant medical history, comorbidities and medications (and assessment of adherence), including previous discharge summaries or outpatient letters from treating paediatric service
  • Details of all treatments previously offered and assessment of efficacy
  • A clear indication of clinical issues that the specialist is required to address
  • Details of any functional decline or cognitive impairment

3. Additional referral information Useful for processing the referral

  • Existing psychosocial issues and supports
  • Patient or carer support services – e.g. disability or carer pensions, services provided by Disability Services Queensland, National Disability Insurance Scheme, or other support agencies and consumer groups
  • CXR
  • ECG
  • FBC & ELFTs (laboratory tests should be limited and dependent on the history and examination)
  • Current height and weight and history

4. Request

  • Patient's Demographic Details

    • Full name (including aliases)
    • Date of birth
    • Residential and postal address
    • Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
    • Medicare number (where eligible)
    • Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
    • Preferred language and interpreter requirements
    • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

    Referring Practitioner Details

    • Full name
    • Full address
    • Contact details – telephone, fax, email
    • Provider number
    • Date of referral
    • Signature

    Relevant clinical information about the condition

    • Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
    • Physical findings
    • Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
    • Body mass index (BMI)
    • Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
    • Current medications and dosages
    • Drug allergies
    • Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

    Reason for request

    • To establish a diagnosis
    • For treatment or intervention
    • For advice and management
    • For specialist to take over management
    • Reassurance for GP/second opinion
    • For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
    • Reassurance for the patient/family
    • For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
    • Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

    Clinical modifiers

    • Impact on employment
    • Impact on education
    • Impact on home
    • Impact on activities of daily living
    • Impact on ability to care for others
    • Impact on personal frailty or safety
    • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

    Other relevant information

    • Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
    • Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
    • Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

  • If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or follow local emergency care protocols or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

    • Please note that where appropriate and where available, the referral may be streamed to an associated public allied health and/or nursing service.  Access to some specific services may include initial assessment and management by associated public allied health and/or nursing, which may either facilitate or negate the need to see the public medical specialist.

    • A change in patient circumstance (such as condition deteriorating, or becoming pregnant) may affect the urgency categorisation and should be communicated as soon as possible.

    • Please indicate in the referral if the patient is unable to access mandatory tests or investigations as they incur a cost or are unavailable locally.

Last updated: 28 January 2025

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