Peripheral Neuropathy

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

  • Onset of symptoms and progression, location, pain, associated weakness
  • Co morbidities:
    • Endocrine conditions such as thyroid disease or diabetes
    • Systemic symptoms or known conditions
    • Medications including illicit drugs and alcohol
  • Recent upper respiratory tract infection or gastrointestinal illness (in cases of acute neuropathy)

Tests

  • Nerve conduction studies
  • Peripheral neuropathy screening bloods:
    • FBE
    • BSL
    • ESR
    • LFT
    • UEC
    • Vit B12
    • Folate
    • Serum protein electrophoresis
    • Urine Bence Jones protein

Interim/GP management

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

Management of co-morbidities.

Nerve conduction studies may provide an answer your clinical question without need for a neurologists clinical opinion.

Consider trial of neuropathic pain medication if pain is a significant issue such as amitriptyline or pregabalin.

Direct link to Health Pathways - Peripheral Neuropathy page

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Rapidly progressive weakness +/- other symptoms/signs suggestive of Guillain–Barré syndrome

Urgent / category 1

Subacute weakness and sensory disturbance over weeks-months

Routine / category 3

Longstanding symptoms

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

If you require a neurophysiological test and a clinic consultation, please complete two separate referrals and send the one for NCS/EMG to the Neurology Department Fax: (03) 6173 0292 and the OPD referral to the Clinic Fax:  6234 3982. 

No formal clinical opinion will be provided during the NCS/EMG session.

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 two weeks.

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call, as per below:

  • Contact the Neurology Registrar directly within hours via the RHH switchboard Phone: (03) 6166 8308
Semi-urgent:
Routine:

Next available appointment