Wound Clinics

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, management plans and review of people of all ages with chronic wounds

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

THS Southern and Northern Regions

People with a  wound failing to heal in eight weeks or not reduced in size by 25% in four weeks

Recurrence of a previously healed chronic wound

Exclusions:

  • Foot wounds on diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy will not be assessed or treated in these clinics. Refer to Podiatry Services
  • Patients with burns will not be assessed or treated in these clinics. Refer to Burns Services

THS North West Region

No specific outpatient service. Patients should be referred to General Surgery.

Emergency conditions

Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):

  • Spreading cellulitis with systemic signs
  • Rest pain in a person with a diabetic foot ulcer

Please refer to Department of Emergency Medicine

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.

Specific requirements are detailed in the individual clinic and condition referral guidelines.

Referrals are registered by the clinic to whom they are referred and are triaged according to the specific clinic guidelines.

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

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar (or Clinic Nurse Thursday morning only) to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

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

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Practice Guideline for Prevention and Management of Venous Leg Ulcers Flowchart

Australian Wound Management Association Flowchart for Prevention and Management of Pressure Injury

Australian Wound Management Association patient information brochures: