Infectious Diseases

From April – August 2022, the Department will contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form. This forms part of a routine audit to ensure patient details are up to date. If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Assessment and management of adult infectious disease.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

All THS Regions

Children under the age of 17 should be referred to Paediatrics

Hepatitis B and C should be referred to Gastroenterology

Sexually related conditions including HIV should be referred to Sexual Health Clinic

THS Southern Region Only

Refugees and recently arrived migrants should be referred to RAHAC.

Emergency conditions

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

  • Suspected mengingococcal disease
  • Septicaemia

Emergency patients should be sent directly to the Emergency Department.

Referral process

A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians and include relevant available microbiology, serology and imaging investigations. Where available (currently THS North only), please refer via HealthLink eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see Quick Guide: Creating an eReferral.

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

Asplenic patients - vaccine access: Vaccines for asplenia are now available via the National Immunisation Program. Refer to the Spleen Registry for further details.

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 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