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

Category 1 — appointment clinically indicated within 30 days

  • suspected malignancy with abnormal imaging

Category 2 — appointment clinically indicated within 90 days

  • cytology confirmed malignancy or suspicious fine needle aspirate (FNA) or dominant nodule > 4 cm on ultrasound (US)
  • compressive features e.g. dyspnoea, hoarseness or dysphagia

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
  • complete past medical history
  • current medication list including non-prescription medication, herbs and supplements
  • clinical history including:
    • onset and duration of symptoms and frequency
    • treatments and interventions
    • physical examination/findings
  • thyroid ultrasound (US) preferably with fine needle aspirate (FNA)
  • thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4

Additional information to assist triage categorisation

Referral for speech pathology if concerned about dysphagic or dysphonic symptoms