New statewide referral criteria for select respiratory conditions and sleep disorders, and additional general surgery conditions, came into effect from 1 November 2024 in all Victorian public hospitals.
When a referring GP successfully uses the new 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 both medical and non-surgical care, and, when required, ensures appropriate guidance to either specialist or surgical treatment through statewide referral criteria.
More information in referrals supports better access for patients.
The Victorian Department of Health has developed and published statewide specialist referral criteria for a further five respiratory conditions and adult sleep disorders, and six general surgery conditions. These are among 16 suites of specialist referral criteria already in existence across Victoria.
General surgery – hernia, oesophageal and hepatobiliary, colon and anorectal conditions
- Abdominal wall and groin hernias
- Hiatus hernia
- Known or suspected hepatobiliary malignancy
- Known or suspected upper gastrointestinal malignancy
- Perianal lumps
- Rectal bleeding (general surgery)
Respiratory conditions
- Adult sleep disorders (specialist sleep services)
- Assessment of asthma management
- Persistent cough
- Suspected or confirmed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Suspected or confirmed interstitial lung disease
- Unexplained chronic breathlessness
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. Providers are encouraged to check Gippsland Pathways when making referrals in regions outside the coverage of the services above.
Gippsland Pathways will be the quickest way to understand your local public hospital’s requirements. It is also a helpful way to troubleshoot management of these conditions when a referral to specialist clinics is not indicated.
Statewide referral criteria provide referring clinicians clear and consistent guidance about which patients can be seen in public specialist clinics across Victoria and what investigations are necessary to support accurate prioritisation of referrals.
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.
GPs can also visit src.health.vic.gov.au to view the specialist referral criteria.
