Adult

Paediatric

Therapies for COVID-19 mild to moderate disease have changed significantly. As a result, indications for referral to the COVID Virtual Ward have also changed.



View expanded eligibility criteria for COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments, Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio®).

The referral template can be found on the GCPHN website.



Referrals to the COVID Virtual Ward must be made through Medical Objects to:


QHEALTH GOLD COAST UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - VIRTUAL WARD

This is the only address that will enable the patient to be assessed in a timely manner.

Do not use usual referral channels including our central fax number, general Bookings and Referrals address or Smart Referrals platform for COVID Virtual Ward referrals.

Visit HealthPathways for further information to support 

Consultation at a physical clinic at one of our facilities

Face to Face

Telehealth

Get localised health information, at the point of care.


HealthPathways

Please note: This service currently only accepts referrals from internally referring clinicians. Please refer to the 'Are you referring to the right service' section if you are a GP or external referrer to determine alternate referral pathways.

This service currently only accepts referrals from internally referring clinicians.

Internal Service

If you believe your patient requires immediate attention, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

Emergency - Warning

Gold Coast Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary services or for services that are not provided by their local hospital and health service district. If your patient lives outside the Gold Coast Health catchment area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, please indicate relevant medical or social information that will assist with the processing of your referral.

Out of Catchment

For urgent advice, please contact the registrar through switchboard 1300 744 284 or our GP Only Enquiry Line 5687 0003.

Urgent Advice

Any concession cards (e.g. Pension, Health Care, DVA, PBS Safety Net, ADF, etc.)

Reading glasses, hearing and mobility aids

Patient Must Bring

If you have a reason to suspect a child in Queensland is experiencing harm, or is at risk of experiencing harm, contact 

Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Services

. Please consider if mandatory reporting applies.

Child Safety

Telehealth (video conferencing or phone appointments) may be available in this service depending on your patient's condition. If your patient consents to telehealth, please indicate in the body of the referral.

Virtual Healthcare - Yes

There are currently no out of scope conditions for this service.

Out of Scope - None

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 

Service Availability

Please note that where appropriate and where available, the referral may be streamed to an associated public allied health and/or nursing service. Access to some specific services may include initial assessment and management by associated allied health and/or nursing, which may either facilitate or negate the need to see the public medical specialist.

A change in patient circumstance (such as condition deteriorating or becoming pregnant) may affect the urgency categorisation and should be communicated as soon as possible.

Please indicate in the referral if the patient is unable to access mandatory tests or investigations as they incur a cost or are unavailable locally.

If your patient consents to telehealth, please indicate in the body of the referral.

Notes

The following conditions are out of scope for this service:

Out of Scope - Lead

Send Referrals To

For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access

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)

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

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)

Residential and postal address including whether patient resides at an aged care facility

Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative

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

Contact details – telephone, fax, email

Nominated general practitioner’s details (if known), if the nominated general practitioner is different from the referring practitioner

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.)

Standard Referral Information

Telehealth (video conferencing or phone appointments) are not currently available for this service.

Virtual Healthcare - No

If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria

Assessment and management information may be found on a range of conditions at 

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

Minimum Referral Criteria

Referrals to the COVID Virtual Ward must be made through Medical Objects to: 

QHEALTH GOLD COAST UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - VIRTUAL WARD
CG4215000A9

Gold Coast Health

COVID-19 Virtual Ward
Outpatient Services

Emergency Referrals

Visit HealthPathways for further information to support Covid-19 Care .

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Internal Referrals

Fax

Post

Enquiries

Service Availability

Facilities

COVID-19 Virtual WardOutpatient Services

Visit HealthPathways for further information to support Covid-19 Care .

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Internal Referrals

Fax

Post

Enquiries

Service Availability

Facilities

COVID-19 Virtual Ward
Outpatient Services