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Pre-referral GuidelinesÌýÌý

The Pre-Referral Guidelines provide an outline of the information required for referral submission and acceptance at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Melbourne.ÌýÌý

These guidelines have been specifically developed by relevant RCH specialties and are CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW.Ìý

For more information on assessment, management and pre-referral treatment, please see the RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines.ÌýÌý

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To submit a referral, please complete the RCH Specialist Clinics Referral Form as well as any additional information forms required and either:ÌýÌý

Fax (03) 9345 5034 orÌý

Email screferrals@rch.org.auÌýÌý

Emergency referralsÌý

Referrals are for the RCH Outpatient Department/Specialist Clinics.ÌýÌýÌý

Do not submit a referral for the Emergency Department (ED). If the patient requires urgent care, please advise the patient to present to the RCH ED.ÌýÌý

For urgent advice, please contact the ED admitting officer or Registrar on-call via (03) 9345 5522.

Alternatively, you can redirect the patient to the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED).Ìý

Mental health referralsÌý

Please see the referral information on the Mental Health section.Ìý

Referring clinician informationÌý

Please provide as much clinical information as possible to ensure the correct clinic is allocated and include social and special circumstances, where relevant, as this may influence the urgency of the referral.Ìý

A valid referral requiresÌý

Patient demographic informationÌý

• full nameÌý

• name of parent, guardian or carerÌý

• addressÌý

• mobile phone numberÌý

• date of birthÌý

• medicare numberÌý

• ATSI (indigenous status)Ìý

• CALD (interpreter requirements)Ìý

Clinical informationÌý

• reason for referral- presenting problem, GP diagnosis referral purposeÌý

• physical examination resultsÌý

• management to dateÌý

• investigation resultsÌý

• relevant medical historyÌý

• allergiesÌý

• medicationsÌý

Reasons why your referral may not be acceptedÌý

There are six main reasons why your referral to the RCH may not be accepted:Ìý

1. not enough demographic information (refer to the minimum requirements above) – we cannot create or find a unique record number (URN) for the childÌý

2. not enough clinical information – we are unclear about the child’s medical condition or the reason for their referralÌý

3. does not meet the age criteria – child is too young or too old for an appointment at a clinicÌý

4. out of area – there are appropriate services closer to the child’s homeÌý

5. no relevant clinical service – the service the child needs is not provided by the RCHÌý

6. originally seen elsewhere – the child was seen or treated by another hospital or health service and should be referred back to this service.Ìý