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

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network

Women's and Children's Health Network

Exclusions

Triage categories

Category 1 (appointment clinically indicated within 30 days)

  • nil

Category 2 (appointment clinically indicated within 90 days)

  • nil

Category 3 (appointment clinically indicated within 365 days)

  • post-menopausal women with complex symptoms unresolved with first-line treatment/s including:
    • hot flashes
    • night sweats
    • mood changes
    • vaginal dryness/itching
    • dyspareunia
    • sleep problems
    • urinary problems
    • memory and concentration problems
    • joint pain and stiffness

For more on outpatient referrals, see the general referral information.

Central Adelaide Local Health Network only accept referrals for people greater than 18 years of age.

Due to limitations in infrastructure and resources, the Women's and Children's Hospital cannot accommodate referrals for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 45, as well as individuals over the age of 69 years of age.

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
  • past medical/surgical/obstetric/psychosocial history
  • family history where relevant
  • current medications and allergies
  • onset, duration and course of presenting symptoms
  • height/weight
  • BMI
  • menstrual history:
    • cycle (day/months)
    • days of bleeding
    • blood loss e.g. change of pads or tampons per day/hours
    • previously trialled treatments
  • quality of life concerns including missed work/study/family
  • pelvic examination findings
  • trans-vaginal/abdominal ultrasound
  • pathology:
    • an up-to-date cervical screening test as per the cervical screening guidelines

Sexually active people

Complete a sexually transmitted infection screen, including:

  • human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis serology
  • chlamydia and gonorrhoea which requires:
    • endocervical swab for culture and
    • endocervical polymerase chain reaction swab or urine sample

Additional information to assist triage categorisation

  • any additional investigations and results e.g. bone density testing

Clinical management advice

Patients should only be referred if they are experiencing complex symptoms that have not resolved with first-line treatment options. In such cases, it is recommended to consider a referral to a general practitioner with a special interest in menopause management.

Clinical resources

Consumer resources