Paediatrics

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Assessment and management of outpatient paediatric patients including inpatient follow up

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

Child abuse/neglect

Medical practitioners are legally obliged under the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997 to report child abuse or neglect. If you believe, suspect or know that a child has been or is being abused or neglected you must contact the Advice and Referral Line as soon as possible.
*If you have concerns for the safety or welfare of a child, call the Advice and Referral Line on 1800 000 123.
*If a child is at immediate risk and Police or medical assistance is required, call 000.

Referral for all specialist paediatric services is via Paediatric Clinic including sub-specialty clinics.  The service hosts also host local specialist clinics and visiting specialist clinics from the Royal Children's Hospital to consult on complex conditions.

If a dedicated service is not offered, please refer to General Paediatrics.

See also Paediatric Surgery and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Referral process

A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on the For Clinicians page. eReferral is now the preferred method of referral for this service and is available in all THS regions. Please refer via HealthLink SmartForm eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see Quick Guide: Creating an eReferral.

Specific requirements are detailed in the individual clinic and condition referral guidelines and must be included for the referral to be triaged. Incomplete or inadequate referrals may be returned to the referrer.

For urgent concerns: Please phone the Registrar or Consultant on call via switch.

For any sexual abuse/assault: Please phone RHH Switchboard and ask Paediatric Sexual Assault Consultant (PSAC) or Registrar on call for advice.

For services not provided in Tasmania please refer to General Paediatrics as the PTAS form is generated by a Paediatrician.

Clinic Appointments - Appointments are based on clinical priority:

Emergency

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent / category 1

We will endeavour to see these patients within 1 month.

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

For any urgent sexual abuse/assault concerns please phone RHH switchboard and ask Paediatric Sexual Assault Consultant or Registrar on call for advice.

Semi-urgent / category 2

We will endeavour to see these patients within 3 months

Routine / category 3

Next available appointment

Referral template

For use by health professionals only

Additional information

Clinic pages have been updated using, with kind permission, the Queensland Health Clinical Prioritisation Criteria.