Peripheral nerve compression including carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy, common peroneal and lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh compression syndromes

On this page

Useful Management Information

CTS can be referred to the following specialities but will be triaged in a unified manner by all specialities concerned:
- Orthopaedics
- Plastic and Reconstructive surgery
- Neurosurgery
- General Surgery
Chronic disease requires to be optimised prior to referral or the patients may not proceed to surgery

Minimum Referral Criteria

Category 1	Peripheral nerve compression syndrome with rapidly progressing and or severe neurological deficit or associated with disabling pain syndrome associated with muscle wasting or neurological deficit (foot drop)
Category 2	Frequent and / or progressive peripheral nerve compressive symptoms with corresponding clinical signs Recurrence of significant symptoms or clinical signs after surgical decompression
Category 3	Intermittent or mild symptoms of peripheral nerve compression failing to respond to reasonable and appropriate non- operative measures of greater than 6 months duration and considered to warrant assessment for surgical decompression
If your patient doesn't meet the minimum referral criteria If the patient does not meet the criteria for referral but the referring practitioner believes the patient requires specialist review, a clinical override may be requested: Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.) Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service.

Standard Referral Information

Reason for request

To establish a diagnosis
For treatment or intervention
For advice and management
For specialist to take over management
Reassurance for GP/second opinion
For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
Reassurance for the patient/family
For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

Relevant clinical information about the condition

Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
Physical findings
Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
All conservative options that have been pursued unsuccessfully prior to referral
Body mass index (BMI)
Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes, BMI), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
Any special care requirements where relevant (e.g tracheostomy in place, oxygen required)
Current medications and dosages
Drug allergies
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

Patient's Demographic Details

Full name (including aliases)
Date and country of birth
Residential and postal address including whether patient resides at an aged care facility
Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
Medicare number (where eligible)
Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
Name of delegate and contact details (Department of Corrective Services)
Preferred language and interpreter requirements
Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Any special needs, access requirements and/or disability relevant to the referral

Referring Practitioner Details

Full name
Full address
Contact details – telephone, fax, email
Provider number
Date of referral
Signature
Nominated general practitioner’s details (if known), if the nominated general practitioner is different from the referring practitioner

Other relevant information

Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

Essential Referral Information

Duration and rate of progression of clinical symptoms
Clinical examination findings including neurological findings relating to compression neuropathy syndrome in question
Treatment trialled to date including physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Relevant co-morbities e.g. diabetes, obesity, history of trauma, smoking

Additional Referral Information

Nerve conduction studies (desirable and every effort to obtain, but should not cause significant delay for Cat 1 referrals)

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Coming Soon

Internal Referrals

Neurosurgery (E-Blueslips)

Fax

5687 4497

Post

Booking and Referral Centre
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

1300 559 083

Service Availability

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.