Pre-referral Guidelines  

The Pre-Referral Guidelines provide an outline of the information required for referral submission and acceptance at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Melbourne.  

These guidelines have been specifically developed by relevant RCH specialties and are CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW. 

For more information on assessment, management and pre-referral treatment, please see the RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines.  

Additionally, you will find information at Health Pathways. The paediatric health pathways have been developed in conjunction with the Victorian Primary Health Networks (PHN) and Safer Care Victoria.     

To submit a referral, please complete the RCH Specialist Clinics Referral Form as well as any additional information forms required and either:  

Fax (03) 9345 5034 or 

Email screferrals@rch.org.au  

Emergency referrals 

Referrals are for the RCH Outpatient Department/Specialist Clinics.   

Do not submit a referral for the Emergency Department (ED). If the patient requires urgent care, please advise the patient to present to the RCH ED.  

For urgent advice, please contact the ED admitting officer or Registrar on-call via (03) 9345 5522.

Alternatively, you can redirect the patient to the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED). 

Mental health referrals 

Please see the referral information on the Mental Health section. 

Referring clinician information 

Please provide as much clinical information as possible to ensure the correct clinic is allocated and include social and special circumstances, where relevant, as this may influence the urgency of the referral. 

A valid referral requires 

Patient demographic information 

• full name 

• name of parent, guardian or carer 

• address 

• mobile phone number 

• date of birth 

• medicare number 

• ATSI (indigenous status) 

• CALD (interpreter requirements) 

Clinical information 

• reason for referral- presenting problem, GP diagnosis referral purpose 

• physical examination results 

• management to date 

• investigation results 

• relevant medical history 

• allergies 

• medications 

Reasons why your referral may not be accepted 

There are six main reasons why your referral to the RCH may not be accepted: 

1. not enough demographic information (refer to the minimum requirements above) – we cannot create or find a unique record number (URN) for the child 

2. not enough clinical information – we are unclear about the child’s medical condition or the reason for their referral 

3. does not meet the age criteria – child is too young or too old for an appointment at a clinic 

4. out of area – there are appropriate services closer to the child’s home 

5. no relevant clinical service – the service the child needs is not provided by the RCH 

6. originally seen elsewhere – the child was seen or treated by another hospital or health service and should be referred back to this service.