Respiratory and Sleep Medicine

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.

Assessment and management of adult respiratory conditions and includes assessment for supplemental oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, selected smoking cessation and mantoux testing. Please note most clinics are multidisciplinary clinics. Formal lung function tests and patient education may be provided in conjunction with the clinic.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

THS Southern Region

  • Respiratory Function Unit: Lung function testing is performed at the Lung Function Unit.
  • Patients less than 18 years of age to be referred to Paediatric clinics in the first instance.
  • Referral to Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Smoking Cessation clinic is from within the Respiratory clinic after initial assessment.
  • Interim Sleep Medicine Service - only available to Health Care and Commonwealth Senior Health Care card holders.  Patients will require a fully completed RHH Sleep Clinic Referral.

THS Northern Region

See Health Pathways for lung function testing, as not offered in public.

Sleep studies are not offered at LGH.


THS North West Region

This service is offered through General Medicine.

Emergency conditions

Emergency conditions/symptoms require referral to the Emergency Department and include (not an exhaustive list):

  • Acute respiratory failure (severe dyspnoea, central cyanosis, confusion, haemodynamic instability)
  • Severe pneumonia
  • Acute exacerbation of COPD with respiratory failure
  • Acute severe asthma
  • Pneumorthorax
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Severe breathlessness
  • Massive haemoptysis (>200ml)

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.

Referrals are registered in the Specialist Clinic and triaged by the Consultant/Medical Officer when they are next in clinic.

If acute, patient should be directed immediately to the Emergency Department.

For Mantoux testing./BCG vaccination - please send through a valid referral to the Respiratory Clinic.

Please note the RHH Sleep Clinic Referral template and Frequently Asked Questions.  A downloadable Sleep Referral template is yet to be implemented.

Clinic Appointments - Appointments are based on clinical priority:

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 / category 1

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks.

Patients with suspected lung cancer will be seen within one week.

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Respiratory Department and/or the relevant doctor for urgent assessment.

Semi-urgent / category 2

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks.

Routine / category 3

Next available appointment.

Referral template

For use by health professionals only

Additional information

Quit

Lung Function Testing Request Form