Rheumatology Referral Guidelines (incorporating Statewide Referral Criteria) – Click here

Rheumatology Services not offered at Northern Health

• Patients under the age of 16 years requiring opinion – please direct referral to Northern Health paediatric medical service
• Patients who are being treated for the same condition at another Victorian public hospital

 Patients with the following conditions are not seen at Northern Health:

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand, hip, shoulder, knees and spine

• Hip & knee OA – consider referral to Northern Health Osteoarthritis Hip and Knee Service (OAHKS) for referral criteria.
• Hand OA – consider referral to Northern Health Plastic Surgery click here for referral criteria.
• Shoulder OA – consider referral to Northern Health Orthopaedic Screening Clinic click here for referral criteria.
• Spine OA in the absence of inflammatory symptoms – consider referral to Northern Health Neurosurgical Spinal Service – click here for referral criteria.

Chronic pain syndrome including fibromyalgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and chronic non-specific lower back pain

• Consider referral to Northern Health Chronic Pain clinic for Victorian statewide referral criteria

Mechanical pain including lower back, neck and shoulder pain

•  Back & neck pain – consider referral to Northern Health Neurosurgical Spinal Service – click here for referral criteria
•  Shoulder pain – consider referral to Northern Health Orthopaedic Screening Clinic click here for referral criteria

Osteoporosis

• Consider referral to Northern Health Endocrinology Metabolic Bone Disease clinic click here for Victorian statewide criteria

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

• Consider referral to genetics clinic at an alternative health service.  For further information click here for HealthPathways Melbourne

Positive blood tests without clinical symptoms

• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) 1:320
• Rheumatoid factor (RF) >60
• Clinical symptoms: moth/nasal ulcerations, Alopecia, Raynaud’s, Inlammatory Arthritis, Photosensitive rash, Proteinuria/Heamaturia

For further guidance on how to manage specific conditions in general practice, or what specific investigations and information are required for specialist referral, please visit your local HealthPathways website or equivalent online care pathways website.

Click here for HealthPathways Melbourne

Please contact your local PHN if you require login access

How to refer

Urgent referrals can be discussed with the Rheumatology Registrar by calling Northern Health switchboard Tel: 8405 8000.

Acutely unwell patients should be directed to the nearest Emergency Department.

GP referrals: Use HealthLink to send referrals, results and reports. For more information click here

Other health services (hospitals, allied health, specialists etc.): Fax your referral to 8405 8616.