New statewide referral criteria for select respiratory conditions and sleep disorders commenced 1 November 2024.
When a referring GP follows the new respiratory criteria to refer a patient to a public hospital, patients can be triaged more accurately and be placed directly onto the appropriate specialist clinics waitlist without delay.
The referral information encourages multidisciplinary assessments to support medical care and, when required, appropriate direction to specialist treatment through the statewide referral criteria. This is why more information is needed in referrals – to support better access for patients.
Respiratory conditions:
- Asthma in Adults – Acute
- Asthma
- Acute Exacerbation of COPD
- Advanced or End-stage COPD
- Non-acute COPD
- Chronic Cough in Adults
- Dyspnoea
- Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs)
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) in Adults
- Silica Exposure
- Acute Respiratory Assessment (Same Day)
- Non-acute Respiratory Assessment
- Sleep Medicine Specialist Assessment in Adults – Non-acute
- Asthma-COPD
This suite also includes adult public sleep disorders. Public sleep specialist services are offered by Alfred Health, Austin Health, Eastern Health, Monash Health, St Vincent’s Health, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Western Health.
GPs can also visit src.health.vic.gov.au to view the specialist referral criteria.
Statewide referral criteria apply to public hospitals and health services only. They do not apply to private hospitals. Additional specialities are set to be released throughout 2025.