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.
- collapse/seizure/altered level of consciousness/new neurological deficit
- severe and increasing headache
- symptoms or signs of raised intracranial pressure which may include:
- severe and increasing headaches
- headaches worse in the morning
- headache exacerbated by coughing, sneezing, straining or bending forwards
- papilloedema
- pulsatile tinnitus
- visual symptoms including transient reduction in vision with straining
- severe and increasing headaches
Please contact the on-call registrar to discuss your concerns prior to referral.
For clinical advice, please telephone the relevant metropolitan Local Health Network switchboard and ask to speak to the relevant specialty service.
Women's and Children's Health Network
- Women’s and Children’s Hospital (08) 8161 7000
Category 1 (appointment clinically indicated within 30 days)
- chiari malformation confirmed on imaging with hydrocephalus/syringomyelia
- chiari malformation with neurological signs – sensory changes and/or pain in limbs
Category 2 (appointment clinically indicated within 90 days)
- chiari malformation with only headaches/neck pain associated with coughing and straining
Category 3 (appointment clinically indicated within 365 days)
- asymptomatic chiari malformation
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, under guardianship/out-of-home care arrangements and/or requires a third party to receive correspondence on their behalf
- interpreter required
- relevant past medical/surgical history
- current medications, allergies
- history of presenting complaint including:
- traumatic event
- onset
- duration
- concerning features
- neurological examination findings
- confirmation of diagnosis on imaging and associated reports including location, company, and accession number