A–Z Service Directory

Criteria for Referral

Information is available on HealthPathways Melbourne for assistance in managing your patient’s condition. This includes what investigations you need to perform prior to referring to a specialist and what information you need to include in the referral.  If you require login access to HealthPathways, contact info@healthpathwaysmelbourne.org.au.

For conditions listed below, referrals should meet the Statewide Referral Criteria for Specialist Clinics:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (inflammatory back pain)
• Crystal arthritis (gout)
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Metabolic bone disease (rheumatology)
• • Note: Referrals for this service is offered in Endocrinology with Rheumatology involvement. Please refer patient to Endocrinology - Metabolic bone disease (endocrinology)

For Osteoarthritis of the  hip and knees, refer to Orthopaedic Clinic - Osteoarthritis Hip and Knee Service (OAHKS)

For all other Rheumatology conditions, please continue to refer as per clinical assessment and need. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Temporal arteritis/ Giant cell arteritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus/ Scleroderma
• Vasculitis including: ANCA ,vasculitis, , Behcet’s disease , Sarcoidosis, Polyarteritis nodosa

Referral to this clinic is not appropriate for:

• Chronic pain conditions (e.g. Fibromyalgia).
• Children below 16 years of age.
• Management of cases with third-party payer involvement (e.g. Workcover, Transport Accident Commission).

Additional information:

Please note that we are unable to provide the following:

• Disability reports/ letters (e.g. for National Disability Insurance Scheme)
• Sickness certificates
• Prescriptions for opiates

Making a Referral

For referral information, including how to refer electronically, see Specialist (Outpatients) Clinics.

Investigations to be sent with the referral: Any investigations performed. Patients should have recent pathology tests for systemic disease.

Referral Concerns

If your patient’s condition deteriorates, please send an updated referral via HealthLink SmartForms by selecting the Referral Continuation “Amended referral/update previously sent referral” with additional clinical information. Emergency cases should be sent to the Emergency Department.

Useful Links

The Australian Rheumatology Association has useful information for both General Practitioners and Patients and their families