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

  • reversal of sterilisation procedures

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)

  • elective permanent contraception

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
  • current medications and allergies
  • contraception history/use
  • relevant information pertinent to reason for referral
  • menstrual history:
    • cycle, day/months
    • days of bleeding
    • blood loss e.g. change of pads or tampons per day/hours
    • previously trialled treatments
  • height/weight
  • BMI
  • pelvic examination
  • an up-to-date cervical screening test as per the cervical screening guidelines

Additional information to assist triage categorisation

  • relevant diagnostic/imaging reports including location of company and accession number

Clinical management advice

Evidence suggests that performing bilateral salpingectomy (excision of fallopian tubes) may reduce the incidence of ovarian-like malignancies, though no reduction in mortality has been shown, and mitigate the small risk of clips causing chronic pain and other rare complications.

Please ensure the patient has access to alternative forms of contraception until sterilisation surgery is completed.

Clinical resources