Syncope

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.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

In isolation this is rarely due to a neurological cause (only 5-15% of patients with syncope have an identifiable neurological cause).

TIA very rarely causes collapse in isolation with no other neurological symptoms or signs of posterior circulation ischemia.

History should include:

  • Pattern of syncope and associated symptoms
  • Co-morbidities
  • Cardiac history

Tests

  • ECG
  • BSL
  • UEC
  • Neurological investigations (such as EEG and carotid duplex ultrasound) are not routinely required

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Neurology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Consider referral to General Medicine or Cardiology Clinic

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Symptoms or signs suggestive of a posterior circulation TIA or stroke (cranial nerve signs, vertigo, diplopia, nausea etc.)

Urgent / category 1

Recurrent syncope with symptoms or signs suggestive of posterior fossa pathology (cranial nerve signs, vertigo, diplopia)

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

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:

We will endeavour to see these patients within two weeks.

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call, as per below:

  • Contact the Neurology Registrar directly within hours via the RHH switchboard Phone: (03) 6166 8308
Semi-urgent:
Routine:

Next available appointment