Chest pain (paediatric)

• Current chest pain with haemodynamic compromise
• Acute onset chest pain from a potential cardiac cause

Murmur (adults or children)

• New murmur with any of the following concerning features:
  • haemodynamic instability
  • persistent or progressive shortness of breath (NYHA Class III – IV)
  • chest pain
  • syncope / pre-syncope / dizziness
  • neurological deficit indicative of TIA/stroke
  • abnormal ECG (e.g. LV hypertrophy, AF, LBBB, RBBB)
  • fever or constitutional symptoms suggestive of infection (eg endocarditis, acute rheumatic fever)
  • signs of heart failure

Murmur (Infant)

• Infant <3 months with newly noted murmur and any of the following concerning features:
  • poor feeding
  • slow weight gain
  • weak or absent femoral pulses
  • post ductal (foot) oxygen saturation < 95%
  • respiratory signs (wheeze, recession or tachypnoea)
• Suspected heart failure or endocarditis

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), 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.)