Outpatient Clinics

Assessment and management of adult and paediatric neurosurgical conditions.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

Do not refer the following conditions to Neurosurgery:

• Non-emergency low back pain, with or without lower limb pain / neurology (see Back Assessment Clinic)
• Degenerative spinal disorders with minimal or no neurological deficit
• Occipital neuralgia

Referrals for these conditions will be re-directed to the appropriate Specialist Clinics service.

All non-emergency back pain requiring specialist assessment and management should be referred to the Back Assessment Clinic.

Non-emergency back pain of less than 6 weeks duration should trial conservative management options, such as Community Physiotherapy, before considering referral to tertiary services.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Smoking cessation is strongly encouraged for any patient referred for surgery.
• All surgery is performed at the RHH, but post-operative rehabilitation may occur in the LGH or NWRH.
• All new patients and previous patients with a new condition may be seen at the RHH, LGH and NWRH for their initial appointment.

Emergency conditions

Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):

• Subarachnoid haemorrhage
• Benign or malignant tumours associated with midline shift, hydrocephalus or severe deficits
• Spinal cord compression with severe or rapidly progressive deficit and / or cauda equina signs / symptoms
• Blocked or infected VP shunt
• Mass lesion (tumour or abscess) on CT or suspected, with headache with increasing drowsiness, increasing weakness or vomiting
• Spine # (unstable or suspected unstable) or with neurological deficit
• Significant head Injury

Phone the Neurosurgery Registrar on call via RHH switch (03) 6166 8308

Referral process

A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians. 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.

Clinic Appointments – Appointments are based on clinical priority:

The times to assessment may vary depending on size and staffing of the hospital department.

Urgent cases must be discussed with the Neurosurgery Registrar on call to obtain appropriate prioritisation and then a referral letter faxed to (03) 6173 0491.

Referral template

For use by health professionals only

• Referral template - Medical Director
• Referral template - Best Practice

Additional information

For more information, please see Tasmanian HealthPathways.