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.

  • acute neurological symptoms which could be attributed to stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), contact the nearest on-call stroke or neurology service to discuss clinical concerns prior to presentation.

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

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network

Exclusions

Triage categories

Category 1 - appointment clinically indicated within 30 days

  • facial palsy with a threat to vision from lack of corneal protection
  • acute facial palsy as a result of traumatic or surgical division of facial nerve, or compressive tumour

Category 2 — appointment clinically indicated within 90 days

  • chronic facial palsy without threat to vision

Category 3 — appointment clinically indicated within 365 days

  • congenital facial nerve palsy

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
  • identify within your referral 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
  • presenting symptoms
  • management history including:
    • injury/trauma/surgery if relevant
    • onset and duration
    • severity
    • pain
    • associated features, e.g. functional impairment
    • treatments trialled/implemented prior to referral  
  • previous investigation and reports, include provider details and accession number
  • additional specialist clinician involvement/correspondence

Clinical management advice

It is strongly recommended that people who smoke or vape stop 3 months prior to consultation. Smoking/vaping is associated with delayed healing. Please refer to useful resources section for further information.

If the patient requires urgent attention and/or fulfils category 1 triage criteria, please contact the on-call registrar to discuss and ensure your referral has been received.

Clinical resources

Consumer resources