New statewide referral criteria for referrals to lung nodule services are now in effect.
Patients can be placed on a specialist clinic wait list when a referring GP provides information that shows the referral meets the statewide specialist referral criteria.
The criteria identify the information that should be included in a referral to assess the referral and direct the patient to the best service available.
These new statewide referral criteria must be used for referrals to public lung nodule clinics offered by Alfred Health, Austin Health, Barwon Health, Bendigo Health, Eastern Health, Grampians Health, Latrobe Regional Health, Melbourne Health, Monash Health, Northern Health, Peninsula Health, St Vincent’s Hospital and Western Health.
This new adult lung nodule criteria sits within respiratory conditions, a suite previously developed and published by the Victorian Department of Health in 2024.
The aim of statewide referral criteria is to streamline access to specialist clinics in public hospitals in Victoria, by reducing inappropriate referrals and overall wait times for patients. Statewide referral criteria assist referring clinicians to know when a referral to a public specialist clinic is appropriate and the information that should be included in the referral.
Western Victoria HealthPathways Updates
Local care pathways offer specific clinical advice, including alternative conservative management options and referral pathways, such as suitable allied health referral options. You can find the relevant local HealthPathways below:
To access pathway links, please login to your HealthPathways account. New to HealthPathways? Register for free access at Western Victoria HealthPathways.
Further information can be found on the HealthPathways web page or by contacting the team: [email protected].