Oncology-Haematology (Paediatric)

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

Clinic sees patients with cancer (e.g. Leukaemia, brain tumours), bleeding disorders (haemophilia, von Willebrand's), non-malignant Haematology (spherocytosis, sickle cell anaemia) and INR testing in children.

Pre-referral work-up

All referrals should comply with the Referral Standards and specifically include:

  • Reason for referral
  • Developmental history
  • Past treatment if relevant
  • Family history if relevant - sickle cell disease, von Willebrand's

Tests

  • Do not delay referral for suspected cancer for results.

Interim/GP management

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

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

Contact via Switch A/Prof John Heath, or in his absence, Dr Melissa Lambeth. Out of hours, contact the Registrar on call for cases of suspected cancer or for concerns about patients undergoing treatment for cancer.

Awareness of possibility of childhood cancer is important as it is rare.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Systemically unwell patient undergoing cancer treatment

Urgent / category 1

Suspected cancer

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

Long term survivors of multimodality cancer treatment with complications from this, or their cancer, may benefit from referral to Oncology Late Effects Clinic but should be referred to Paediatric Oncology initially.

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 1 month.

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

For any urgent sexual abuse/assault concerns please phone RHH switchboard and ask Paediatric Sexual Assault Consultant or Registrar on call for advice.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 3 months

Routine:

Next available appointment