When a referring GP successfully uses the new criteria for plastic surgery or joint pain to refer a patient to a public hospital, patients can be placed directly onto the specialist clinics wait list. The referral information encourages multi-disciplinary assessments to support non-surgical care and, when required appropriate direction to surgical treatment through the statewide referral criteria. This is why more information is needed in referrals – to support better access for patients.

The Victorian Department of Health has developed and published statewide referral criteria for 14 conditions across the joint pain and plastic surgery speciality suites.

Joint pain (focusing on hip and knee conditions, shoulder conditions, progressive low back pain)

• Osteoarthritis of the hip
• Osteoarthritis of the knee
• Osteoarthritis of the shoulder
• Other hip conditions
• Other knee conditions
• Other non-traumatic shoulder conditions
• Progressive lower back pain
• Shoulder trauma

Plastic Surgery (focussing on hand and skin lesions)

• Carpal tunnel and other nerve compression syndromes
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• Hand fractures and infections
• Melanoma
• Skin lesions and other skin cancers
• Stenosing tenosynovitis including trigger finger

These two new suites join the 13 suites of statewide referral criteria already in existence across Victoria.

GPs and other primary care providers can visit their local PHN's Pathways page or src.health.vic.gov.au to find these and the other statewide referral criteria.

Statewide referral criteria provide referring clinicians clear and consistent guidance about which patients can be seen in public specialist clinics across Victoria and what investigations are necessary to support accurate prioritisation of referrals.

GPs and other primary care providers are encouraged to check their local Pathways website when making referrals – this will be the quickest way to understand their local public hospital’s requirements. It is also a helpful way to trouble shoot management of these conditions when a referral to specialist clinics is not indicated.

Statewide referral criteria apply to public hospitals and health services only. They do not apply to private hospitals. Breast Surgery is the next suite of criteria scheduled for release on 1 June 2024, additional specialities set to be released throughout 2024.