- Home
- Outpatients
- Emergency
- Community services
- Find a doctor
- Pre-referral guidelines
- Clinical resources
- Professional education
- For parents
- Mailing list
- Working with GPs
- Contact Kids Connect
Print version
Outpatients - referring, forms & parent info
Most clinics are on the ground floor of the RCH Main Building and are held between 9-5pm Monday to Friday. All clinics need an up-to-date doctor's referral. Triage staff will assign a child to the most appropriate clinic that has the shortest waiting time.
 Replaces the yellow and blue hard-copy CSD. |
Each clinic links to:
|
- Contacts
- Mental health
- Private referrals
- Pre-referral guidelines
-
Referral forms (OPD, Medical Imaging, Pathology)
Process for referring to OPD
1: Check the Clinical Services Directory online
-
You can choose to search RCH clinics or you may prefer that the RCH triages referrals to the most relevant clinic.
-
The Clinical Services Directory links to:
-
pre-referral guidelines
-
online resources
-
parent information
-
referral forms.
-
2: Check pre-referral guidelines
-
Pre-referral guidelines - suggestions for pre-referral management, contact information, links to referral forms, online resources and parent handouts.
3: Call
-
RCH specialists welcome any clinical enquiries.
-
Tel (03) 9345 7060, #5 - ask for the relevant Registrar or Consultant on-call, or get direct contact details from the relevant Department or service.
4: Type referral
- Typed forms are easier to read, especially after faxing.
-
Choosing a clinic is optional - triage staff will choose the most appropriate clinic with the shortest waiting list.
5: Better information = better triaging
-
Referrals with insufficient information for triaging may be faxed back to you requesting more information before booking an appointment.
-
If relevant, please also fax tests done and results. This will facilitate faster and more appropriate triaging.
*Please also include parents mobile number (we SMS appointment reminders) and your Provider number (for billing).
6: Fax
-
Fax your completed form to the Outpatient Department Booking Office - fax (03) 9345 5034.
-
For urgent referrals please also call the Outpatient Department booking office on (03) 9345 7060, #2.
-
An appointment will be posted to your patient as soon as it has been made. This can be up to around four weeks.
Contacts
-
Please see the Clinical Services Directory or call as below
-
Specialist advice
RCH switch (03) 9345 5522 - ask for the relevant registrar or consultant on-call
Contact the relevant department or service directly or call the Emergency Department
-
Urgent referral booking
Tel (03) 9345 7060, #2
-
OPD appointment bookings office
Fax (03) 9345 5034
-
Coordinating multiple appointments
Contact Nurse Unit Manager OPD (03) 9345 5689 or OPD bookings (03) 9345 7060, #2
-
Private referrals
See surgical pre-referral guidelines for surgeons' private numbers
See online listing of general paediatricians
Mental health
Tel 1800 445 511
Staffed 09-5pm M-F by professional mental health Intake workers.
RCH Mental Health Services
Mental Health Services in Victoria are area based, see the DHS Mental Health Services website.
Private referrals
Many families may prefer a private referral which will usually result in a shorter waiting time to consultation.
-
Online database of paediatricians in Victoria
Paediatrician Listing (RCH Department of Medicine)
The list includes community, general and specialty paediatricians and can be sorted by suburb.
-
The yellow pages also lists paediatricians by postcode.
More referral forms and templates
-
VSRF (Word) - Victorian Statewide Referral Form
The Victorian Statewide Referral Form (VSRF) is a straightforward, easy to use, electronic template for GP referrals. The purpose is to provide a standardised mechanism for referral from General Practice to state funded health providers. The RCH accepts referrals made on the Statewide Referral Form.
-
Medical Imaging Medical Imaging (More about referring to Medical Imaging)
Install to practice software
-
RTF template for GP software (Medical Director, Best Practice, ZedMed and GPComplete templates - valid 2007)
Information for parents
Parents should receive an appointment by mail within a week to several weeks. Parents can call the OPD if they have not received a referral and need to call the OPD as soon as possible if they need to reschedule or cannot make their appointment. This helps us to rebook a new appointment time as most clinics fill quickly. This also helps us make that appointment available to another patient.
-
Parents call (03) 9345 6180 for appointment rescheduling.
-
Patient registration - for parents to complete and take to the first appointment.
-
Frequently Asked Questions - for patients new to outpatients. Visit the Department of Human Services (DHS) website. Offers translation in 19 languages.
Getting to the RCH
- The Royal Children's Hospital is located on the corner of Flemington Road and Gatehouse Street in Parkville. Melway Map 2A, J5 or Map 43 E3.
- Hospital parking can be difficult and costs about $4 per hour up to a maximum of $19 for 4 hours or more.
- The number 55 and 59 trams stop at the front entrance of the hospital. Public transport timetables can be accessed from the Yarra Trams website.
- Rural and regional patients - from Southern Cross Station Parent factsheet
Getting around the RCH
- Many (but not all) OPD clinics are held on the Ground Floor of the main building.
- Printable map for your patient of the RCH ground floor and Information Desk.
Some tips to make your visit easier
-
Make sure your referral is up-to-date (less than one year from a GP, less than 3 months from a specialist). If it is not, please bring an updated referral from your doctor.
-
Allow plenty of time for parking.
-
Bring toys and distractions.
-
Try to leave siblings and other children at home.
-
Look up the Kids Health Info website for any helpful factsheets. If you can't find what you need, send an email.
-
For more useful parent information, see the Outpatient Department web site.