Referral to emergency

If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

  • upper airway obstruction and/or stridor

For clinical advice, please telephone the relevant metropolitan Local Health Network switchboard and ask to speak to the relevant specialty service.

Central Adelaide Local Health Network

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network

Category 1 — appointment clinically indicated within 30 days

  • suspicious oropharyngeal (lip, tongue, hard/soft palate, uvula, floor of mouth) lesion or mass with any of the following:
    • leucoplakia
    • ulceration
    • pain
    • bleeding
    • discharge
  • non-healing oropharynx ulcer for > 4 weeks

Category 2 — appointment clinically indicated within 90 days

  • nil

Category 3 — appointment clinically indicated within 365 days

  • nil

For information on referral forms and how to import them, please view general referral information.

Essential referral information

Completion required before first appointment to ensure patients are ready for care. 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.

  • identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • relevant social history, including identifying if you feel your patient is from a vulnerable population and/or requires a third party to receive correspondence on their behalf
  • interpreter requirements
  • history and duration of symptoms and management
  • presence of red flags
  • history of smoking/vaping, chewing tobacco, chewing betel nut and alcohol use
  • presence of sharp or chipped teeth
  • copies of relevant reports and results