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.
- nil
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
- adult burns service referrals 0435 051 631
Women's and Children's Health Network
- paediatric burns service referrals (08) 8161 7000
Exclusions
- non burn scar management
Triage categories
Category 1 - appointment clinically indicated within 30 days
- acute scar breakdown/wound
- painful or intractable itch (burn scar)
Category 2 — appointment clinically indicated within 90 days
- advancing contracture
- scar thickening
Category 3 — appointment clinically indicated within 365 days
- nil
For more on outpatient referrals, see the general referral information page.
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
- for adult patients, 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
- for paediatric patients, identify within your referral if you feel your patient is from a vulnerable population, under guardianship/out-of-home care arrangements and/or requires a third party to receive correspondence on their behalf
- interpreter requirements
- past medical/surgical history
- current medication list and dosages
- allergies and sensitivities
- presenting symptoms including scar location and extent, evolution, and duration
- details of previous treatment including:
- systemic and topical medications prescribed
- the course and outcome of the treatment
- associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes) - noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral.