Referral to emergency
If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.
- nil
For clinical advice, please telephone the relevant metropolitan Local Health Network switchboard and ask to speak to the relevant specialty service.
Central Adelaide Local Health Network
- Royal Adelaide Hospital (08) 7074 0000
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (08) 8222 6000
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Lyell McEwin Hospital (08) 8182 9000
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Flinders Medical Centre (08) 8204 5511
Women's and Children's Health Network
- Women’s and Children’s Hospital (08) 8161 7000
Category 1 (appointment clinically indicated within 30 days)
- reproductive counseling for fertility sparing options prior to cancer treatment
Category 2 (appointment clinically indicated within 90 days)
- nil
Category 3 (appointment clinically indicated within 365 days)
- all referrals for infertility for example but not limited to:
- surgical management of hydrosalpinx
- anovulation for ovulation induction (selected cases)
- unexplained infertility (selected cases)
For more on outpatient referrals, see the general referral information.
Central Adelaide Local Health Network only accept referrals for people greater than 18 years of age.
Due to limitations in infrastructure and resources, the Women's and Children's Hospital cannot accommodate referrals for individuals with a body mass index equal to or greater than 45, as well as individuals over the age of 69 years of age.
Essential referral information
Completion required before first appointment to ensure patients are ready for care. 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.
- identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- relevant social history, including identifying if you feel your patient is from a vulnerable population and/or requires a third party to receive correspondence on their behalf
- interpreter requirements
- past medical/surgical/obstetric/psychosocial history
- current medications and allergies
- partners information including:
- name
- date of birth
- semen analysis
- menstrual history:
- cycle, day/months
- days of bleeding
- regular periods:
- day 21 serum progesterone level, 7 days before the next expected period
- trans-vaginal/pelvic ultrasound
Pathology
- blood group and antibody screen
- luteinizing hormone- day 2 to 5
- prolactin
- oestrodiol
- thyroid stimulating hormone
- follicle stimulating hormone
Sexually active people
Complete a sexually transmitted infection screen, including:
- human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis serology
- chlamydia and gonorrhoea which requires:
- endocervical swab for culture and
- endocervical polymerase chain reaction swab or urine sample
If suspected polycystic ovarian syndrome:
- free androgen index
- fasting blood glucose
- total cholesterol
- high-density cholesterol
- low-density cholesterol
- triglycerides
Clinical management advice
Infertility is the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse.
Patients who are seeking assistance with fertility issues will be directed to a different referral pathway than those experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss.
Clinical resources
- Australian Indigenous Health Info Net - Central Australian Aboriginal Congress: Women's Business Manual for Remote and Rural Practice 7th Edition
- Australian Medical Association - New Stolen Generation resources for GPs
- Health Male – Male Infertility Clinical Guideline
- Royal Australian College of Physicians - Assessment of Female Fertility in the General Practice Setting