Useful Management Information

  • Exclude central cause of vertigo (cardiac/respiratory)
  • Perform Hallpike test and Head Impulse Test (HIT) to determine likely cause of vertigo
  • If BPPV likely based on symptoms and a positive Hallpike, then treat with canalith repositioning manoeuvre (Epleys or BBQ roll) and consider referral to a physiotherapist/vestibular physiotherapist
  • If HIT positive with acute vertigo, consider vestibular neuritis
  • Consider migraine associated vertigo and if appropriate consider trial of
    • Pizotifen 0.5mg to 1mg orally, at night, up to 3mg daily or
    • Propranalol 40mg orally, 2-3 times daily, up to 320mg or
    • Verapamil (sustained release) 160 or 180mg orally, once daily, up to 320 or 360mg daily
  • Arrange diagnostic audiological assessment and/or vestibular testing
  • Review of current medications
  • Occupational therapy home assessment for falls prevention
  • Consider advice regarding safe driving/licencing

Clinical resource

Assessing Fitness to Drive | Austroads

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)
  • No Category 1 criteria
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)
  • With one or more of the following;
    • significant falls risk
    • asymmetrical hearing loss or tinnitus
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)
  • With co-morbid vestibular or otological conditions
  • Symptoms unable to be resolved, or unsuitable for management by a vestibular physiotherapist

Essential Referral Information

  • Description of:
    • onset, duration, frequency and quality
    • functional impact
    • any associated otological/neurological symptoms/history
    • treatment to date and efficacy
  • Investigation/imaging results
  • Diagnostic audiology assessment (where available and not cause significant delay)

Additional Referral Information

  • History of any of the following:
    • cardiovascular conditions
    • neck conditions
    • neurological conditions
    • auto immune conditions
    • eye problems
    • previous head injury
    • psychological symptoms
  • drug and alcohol use
  • previous treatment with vestibulo-toxic / ototoxic medications (e.g. gentamycin, cisplatin)
Last updated 14 February 2024

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Gold Coast Health Service District

Internal Referrals

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

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

Enquiries

1300 559 083

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

Service Availability

Dr Jim Hallam
Medical Director Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

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.

Gold Coast Health - For Clinicians
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