Gynaecology

Patients will be triaged according to their presenting problem and where possible, offered an appointment in a clinic location closest to their home address (subject to appointment availability and waiting times).

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, refer to the Statewide Referral Criteria for Specialist Clinics:

• Contraception (for reversible contraceptive needs, consider referring to our community partner – Family Planning Victoria)
• Dysplasia / abnormal cervical screening test
• Endometriosis
• Ovarian and other adnexal pathology
• Persistent or unexplained intermenstrual bleeding
• Persistent pelvic pain
• Persistent, heavy menstrual bleeding
• Post-coital bleeding
• Post-menopausal bleeding 
• Pregnancy choices
  • Note: Referrals for pregnancy choices should be directed to Pregnancy Care Options

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

Eastern Health Specialist Clinics is trialling a new way to help patients access care sooner through the GP Diversion Program.

For the Gynaecology Clinic, patients referred for IUD insertion and/or removal may be offered the option to receive care from a participating GP clinic instead of waiting for a public hospital specialist clinic appointment.

• Information on estimated non-admitted specialist clinic waiting times can be viewed on the Victorian Agency for Health Information (VAHI) website.

How does it work?

• A GP Diversion Liaison Nurse clinically reviews the referral to assess whether the patient is suitable for diversion (transfer of care) to a participating GP clinic.
• Patients assessed as suitable will be contacted by phone. The GP Diversion Liaison Nurse will explain the process and seek patient consent before proceeding.
• The GP clinic will be notified of the diversion, and relevant health information will be shared to support care.
• Patients will then need to contact the GP clinic directly to arrange an appointment.

 Costs and timing

• Care provided at the GP clinic may involve out‑of‑pocket costs.
• Patients are encouraged to ask the GP clinic directly about potential costs and appointment timing before attending.
• Eastern Health does not set or control GP clinic fees, appointment timing, choice of doctor, or how quickly procedures are arranged, and timeframes cannot be guaranteed.

What if I don’t want my referral diverted?

• Patients can choose not to proceed with diversion.
• In this case, patients may remain on the waitlist under Eastern Health care (until an appointment is available) or be discharged, if a specialist clinic appointment is no longer required.

 Who manages care and what if further care is needed?

• Once diverted, the GP clinic will be responsible for treatment and follow-up, and Eastern Health will no longer manage care for this referral.
• If specialist care is later required, patients can be referred back to Eastern Health (this will be assessed as a new referral).

For questions about the GP Diversion Program, please email: GPDiversion@easternhealth.org.au

If your patient’s condition deteriorates, please send an updated referral with additional clinical information.

Emergency cases should be sent to the Emergency Department.

Colposcopy Information Sheet (PDF, 336KB)

Colposcopy Information Sheet (DOC, 173KB)