We provide specialist care to patients with conditions affecting connective tissues of the body, including joints, muscle, bone, the immune and vascular systems.

We work collaboratively with other services across Eastern Health, including Dermatology, Endocrinology, Orthopaedics and Physiotherapy.

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 [email protected].

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)
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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

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

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.

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