Haematology Outpatients - CPC

This site contains the South Australian Clinical Prioritisation Criteria (CPC) for most frequently referred haematology conditions.

Haematology conditions

Please note this is not an exhaustive list of all conditions for outpatient services and does not exclude consideration for referral unless specifically stipulated in the general genetics exclusions section.

• Acute Leukaemia
• Anaemia - Haematology
• Bleeding Disorders
• Haemoglobinopathy or Red Cell Disorders
• Leucocytosis (Including Neutrophilia) and Lymphocytosis
• Lymphadenopathy
• Macrocytosis
• Neutropenia
• Pancytopenia and Bicytopenia
• Paraproteinaemia
• Polycythaemia
• Thrombocytopenia
• Thrombocytosis
• Thrombosis Disorders

Out of scope

Not all medical conditions are covered by the CPC, as certain conditions may be considered out of scope or managed by other specialist services:

• Splenomegaly – CPC not created
• iron deficiency
  
  • Iron Deficiency with or without Anaemia - Adult CPC (gastroenterology)
    
• Thalassaemia minor – refer to the Haemoglobinopathy or Red Cell Disorders CPC for further information
• asymptomatic carriers of sickle cell disease or thalassaemia
  
• pregnant couples with screening bloods indicating a risk of thalassaemia/haemoglobinopathy in the foetus
  
• family planning issues – please refer to Paediatric Reproductive Genetics Unit (PRGU) for genetic counselling
  
• isolated neutropenia <3 months duration (resolved neutropenia)
  
• isolated elevated platelet count due to iron deficiency, infections or inflammation
  
• raised immunoglobulin levels without:
  
  • a monoclonal paraprotein band on serum electrophoresis and/or
    
  • raised serum kappa OR lambda free light chains with an abnormal ratio and/or
    
  • presence of urinary Bence Jones proteins
    
• polycythaemia due to a secondary cause (for example chronic hypoxia, renal disease, smoking, androgen use)
  
• stable isolated thrombocytopenia attributed to non-haematological causes with platelet count ≥100 and no abnormalities on coagulation testing are usually not reviewed in clinic. Please re-refer if platelet levels drop.
  
• first episode of provoked thrombosis which is associated with recent (<4-6 weeks) surgery, immobility or trauma are usually not reviewed in the haematology clinic
  
• most patients with superficial thrombophlebitis
  
• advice regarding anticoagulation can be sought from the duty haematologist but does not require a clinic review
  

Exclusions for public specialist outpatient services

Not all genetics conditions are appropriate for referral into the South Australian public health system. The following are not routinely provided in a public specialist outpatient service:

• Hyperferritinaemia
  
  • Elevated Serum Ferritin - what should GPs know? (PDF 869KB)
    
  • British Society for Haematology - Investigation and management of a raised serum ferritin
    
• Uncomplicated Haemochromatosis
  
  • Guidelines and referral for therapeutic venesection are found at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood - Ferritin
    

Emergency information

See the individual condition pages for more specific emergency information.

Feedback

We welcome requests for further information or feedback on the CPC and website, please refer to the relevant form below.

• New CPC development form (DOCX 572KB)
• Change request form (DOCX 572KB)

Please email the completed form to Health.CPC@sa.gov.au.

Review

The Haematology CPC will be reviewed in July 2026.

Evidence statement

For a copy of the evidence statement, please email Health.CPC@sa.gov.au.