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
- Royal Adelaide Hospital (08) 7074 0000
Category 1 - appointment clinically indicated within 30 days
- nil
Category 2 — appointment clinically indicated within 90 days
- secondary cleft lip and palate related conditions causing speech and other functional issues
- any other cleft lip and palate related referrals
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
- past medical/surgical history
- current medications and dosages
- allergies and sensitivities
- smoking/vaping status
- presenting symptoms
- management history including:
- onset and duration
- pain/discomfort
- severity of symptoms
- associated features, e.g. functional impairment, swallowing disorders, speech impairment
- impact on activities of daily living/ability to care for others
- medical/surgical treatments completed prior to referral
- photograph including disposable measurement tool with patient’s consent, where secure image transfer, identification and storage is possible
- relevant investigations and reports, include provider details and accession number
Clinical management advice
Orthognathic surgery (OGS), or corrective jaw surgery is available to patients treated by Cleft & Craniofacial SA adult services provided at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH).
Clinical resources
- Royal Adelaide Hospital – Cleft and Craniofacial SA
- Services Australia - Cleft Lip and Palate Scheme
- Women's and Children's Health Network - South Australian Government (SAG) Funding Guideline for Craniofacial Patients (PDF 180KB)