Allergic reactions

PAEDIATRIC

  • 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.

    • Anaphylaxis
    • Allergic reaction where there are any respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms or signs
    • Reaction to peanut or other nut should be referred to Emergency as these reactions can progress rapidly and should be observed and assessed in Emergency
    • Exposure to a known allergen with a previously identified potential for anaphylaxis in this patient even if the reaction appears currently mild
    • Severe angioedema of face
    • Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
    • In the majority of cases, it is thought inappropriate for children to wait more than 6 months for an outpatient initial appointment
    • Next of kin or person(s) who is legally responsible for patient consent, with the exception of children under guardianship orders with the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services, should be present at the first outpatient appointment.
    • If you have a reason to suspect a child in Queensland is experiencing harm, or is at risk of experiencing harm, you need to contact Child Safety Services
    • Statement of intent – the prioritisation of health services for children and young people in the child protection system
    • Allergy action plans and patient information is available at (Australian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy)
Minimum Referral Criteria
Category 1
(appointment within 30 calendar days)
  • Possible severe food reaction Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) in infant <1 year
  • Episode of angioedema (severe facial swelling)
  • Non anaphylactic reaction to nuts
  • Confirmed anaphylactic reaction
  • A child:
    • at risk of entering the child protection system (0 – 18 years of age)
    • currently in out of home care (OOHC) (0 – 18 years of age), or
    • adolescents transitioning to adult healthcare following an out of home care experience (15 – 25 years of age)
    where they have previously been on a waiting list for this problem and were removed without receiving a service


NB: If patient has been seen by a paediatric or emergency medicine consultant in emergency, they may be triaged as a Category 2
Category 2
(appointment within 90 calendar days)
  • Chronic urticaria ≥ 6 weeks
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms due to a food
Category 3
(appointment within 365 calendar days)
  • Chronic allergic rhinitis

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

  • History of allergic reaction
  • History of anaphylaxis and emergency presentations
  • Does the child have an EpiPen currently?
  • Confirmation of OOHC (where appropriate)

3. Additional referral information Useful for processing the referral

Highly desirable information – may change triage category.

  • Allergy focused clinical history of reaction (speed of onset/precipitant, duration of symptoms, severity of reaction, frequency of occurrence, setting of reaction [school or at home])
  • Details of any suspected allergen(s) if known
  • Is there an acute response Antihistamine plan and EpiPen available at school? (Anaphylaxis)
  • Personal and family history of atopic diseases

Desirable Information- will assist at consultation

  • Other past medical history (birth, breastfeeding, antibiotics)
  • Immunisation history
  • Developmental history
  • Medication history
  • Significant psychosocial risk factors (especially parents mental health, family violence, housing and financial stress, Department of Children, Safety, Seniors and Disability Services involvement)
  • Height/weight/head circumference and growth charts with prior measurements if available.
  • Other physical examination findings inclusive of CNS, birth marks or dysmorphology
  • Any relevant laboratory results or medical imaging reports
  • RAST allergy test or skin prick test (if relevant)

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: 4 December 2024

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