Peninsula Health’s Cardiology Clinic sees eligible patients with:
- Hypertension
- Syncope/Presyncope
- Palpitations
Referrals
Referral addressed to named Head of Clinic is preferred.
The GP Referral Template located within the Mastercare Referralnet system is the preferred referral tool. For faxed referrals: FAX 9125 9846
Categories for Appointment
Click to expand
Clinical Description | Estimated Wait Time | |
---|---|---|
Category 1 Urgent | – Condition will require more complex or emergent care if assessment is delayed – Condition will have significant impact on quality of life if care is delayed beyond thirty (30) days | Appointment within thirty (30) days is desirable |
Category 2 Semi-urgent | – Condition has the potential to have some impact on quality of life if care is delayed beyond ninety (90) days | Appointment within ninety (90) days is desirable |
Category 3 Routine | – Condition is unlikely to deteriorate quickly – Condition is unlikely to require more complex care if assessment is delayed beyond 365 days E.g. Hypertension | Appointment within 365 days desirable |
Emergency | – Persistent Palpitations with any of the following ○ Shortness of breath ○ Chest pain ○ Heart failure ○ Syncope, pre-syncope or loss of consciousness – Syncope or pre-syncope with any of the following ○ Exertional onset ○ Chest pain ○ Persistent hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg) or bradycardia (< 50 beats per minute) on electrocardiogram (ECG) ○ Evidence of second, or third-degree block on electrocardiogram (ECG) ○ Severe, persistent headache ○ Focal neurological deficits ○ Preceded by, or associated with, palpitations ○ Known ischaemic heart disease or reduced left ventricular systolic function ○ Associated with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ○ ‘Pre-excited’ QRS wave on electrocardiogram (ECG) ○ Suspected malfunction of a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) ○ Absence of prodrome ○ Associated injury ○ Occurs while supine or sitting. – Hypertensive emergency (persistent blood pressure > 220/140) – Persistent severe hypertension with systolic blood pressure > 180 mmHg with any of the following: ○ Headache ○ Confusion ○ Blurred vision ○ Retinal haemorrhage ○ Reduced level of consciousness ○ Seizure(s) ○ Proteinuria Papilloedema ○ A pregnant woman with pre-eclampsia with uncontrolled severe hypertension (i.e. diastolic blood pressure > 110 mmHg or systolic blood pressure > 170 mmHg) | To emergency department |
Eligibility Criteria
Syncope/Presyncope
- New episode(s) of syncope or pre-syncope (after any emergency assessment)
- Recurrent syncope with undetermined cause
- Information that must be provided in the referral
- Description of syncopal or pre-syncopal events and associated features
- Lying or sitting/standing blood pressure
- Relevant medical history
- Any family history of sudden cardiac death or cardiac disease
- Recent electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings, relevant to syncopal or pre-syncopal events
- Current and complete medication history (including non-prescription medicines, herbs and supplements and recreational or injectable drugs).
- Provide if available
- Any imaging results that show the presence of impaired left ventricular function
- Holter monitor report
- Echocardiogram report
- Recent urea and electrolytes
- Recent full blood examination
- Recent thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level
- If the person identifies as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. See additional comments.
Hypertension
- Severe persistent hypertension > 180/110
- Refractory hypertension (blood pressure > 140/90) in patients: already taking >3 meds
- Information that must be included in the referral
- Blood pressure measurements, preferably taken on both arms Details of all relevant signs and symptoms
- Relevant medical history and comorbidities
- Any treatments previously tried, duration of trial and effect
- Current and complete medication history (including non-prescription medicines, herbs and supplements and recreational or injectable drugs)
- Provide if available
- History of smoking and alcohol intake
- Liver function tests
- Full blood examination results
- Fasting lipids profile results
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
- Urinalysis results
- Urine protein tests results
- Renal artery duplex report (if renal artery stenosis is suspected and report is available)
- Previous 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings
- Echocardiogram report
- If the person is pregnant or planning pregnancy
- If the person identifies as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Palpitations
Palpitations with any of the following:
- abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG)
- abnormal echocardiogram
- other cardiac disease
- functional impact of symptoms on daily activities including impact on work, study, or carer role
- family history of sudden cardiac death or structural heart disease.
Additional comments
- Please include the essential demographic details and clinical information in the referral
- Consider the possibility of secondary hypertension in younger patients.
Exclusion Criteria
Please note, we do not accept referrals for
- Children, refer to Paediatric Cardiology Clinic: Run through a partnership with Monash Health. Refer to Monash Children’s Hospital Cardiology
- Palpitations unless there is a documented arrhythmia on ECG or Holter monitoring
- Undifferentiated shortness of breath without the results of an echocardiogram
- Patients who are already under the care of a cardiologist
- Referral to cardiology is not appropriate for
- Patients with mild or brief orthostatic dizziness
- Dizziness due to a medicine or hypoglycaemia
- Dizziness due to chronic fatigue syndrome.
Alternative referral options
- Other cardiology practices within your local area
- Paediatric Cardiology Clinic: Run through a partnership with Monash Health. Refer to Monash Children’s Hospital Cardiology Cardiology – Monash Children’s Hospital (monashchildrenshospital.org)
- Note: there are also neurology and ENT state-wide referral criteria for Vertigo. Where appropriate and available, the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.
- See also Obstetrics state-wide referral criteria for Pre-Eclampsia and Maternal medical conditions (which includes referrals for severe refractory hypertension). Where appropriate and available, the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.
Make a referral
All referrals to this clinic must contain the following information.
Referral: Date of referral, Speciality, Referring practitioner, Provider Number, Referrer’s signature.
Patient Demographic: Full name, Date of birth, Postal address, Contact numbers, Medicare Number, Interpreter required.
Clinical: Reason for referral, Duration of symptoms, Management to date, Past medical history, Current medications, Allergies, Diagnostics as per referral guidelines X-ray results/reports must be within the last 6 months.
Last update: