RCH Specialty services - referring, forms & parent info
Most clinics are on the ground floor of the RCH Main Building and are held between 9-5pm Monday to Friday. All clinics need an up-to-date doctor's referral.
MBS Enhanced Primary Care Items for paediatrics
1: Pre-referral guidelines
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2: RCH services - Clinical Services Directory
Triage staff will assign a child to the most appropriate clinic that has the shortest waiting time however you may also select a preferred clinic or browse available services first. See the Clinical Services Directory online where you can look up RCH services by keyword, clinic name or specialty. This includes community-based RCH services.
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3: Referral forms and templates
Specialist clinics (general outpatients)
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Outpatients general RCH Install to practice software
The VSRF (Victorian Statewide Referral Form) - is also accepted by the RCH and most hospitals in Victoria. |
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Medical Imaging
GPs and paediatricians can request specialist paediatric Medical Imaging through the RCH Medical Imaging Department, based on the 2nd floor of the RCH. Patients can be bulk-billed.
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Referral form: Online referral form (complete online then fax)
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Hard copy: Call (03) 9345 5274 for hard copies to be posted to you.
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Telephone bookings: (03) 9345 5256
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Medical Imaging Medical Imaging
Pathology
GPs and paediatricians can request specialist paediatric Pathology services through RCH Pathology, based on the ground floor of the RCH. Patients can be bulk-billed.
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Enquiries tel: (03) 9345 4932
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Email: brenda.white@rch.org.au
4: More contacts
Contact a specialist
RCH specialists welcome any clinical enquiries.
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RCH switch (03) 9345 5522 - ask for the relevant registrar or consultant on-call.
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Contact the relevant department or service directly or call the Emergency Department (03) 9345 7060.
Private referrals
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See online listing of general paediatricians (RCH Department of Medicine)
The list includes community, general and specialty paediatricians and can be sorted by suburb. -
The yellow pages also lists paediatricians by postcode
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Please call the RCH (03) 9345 5522 and ask for the Private Surgeons rooms to book a private surgical appointment.
Mental health
- Tel 1800 445 511
Staffed 09-5pm M-F by professional mental health Intake workers.
RCH Mental Health Services
Mental Health Services in Victoria are area based, see the DHS Mental Health Services website.
5: Tips for referring
a) Type referral
- Typed forms are easier to read, especially after faxing.
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Choosing a clinic is optional - triage staff will choose the most appropriate clinic with the shortest waiting list.
b) Better information = better triaging
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Relevant social history can significantly influence triaging decisions.
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Referrals with insufficient information for triaging may be faxed back to you requesting more information before booking an appointment.
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If relevant, please also fax tests done and results. This will facilitate faster and more appropriate triaging.
*Please also include parents mobile number (we SMS appointment reminders) and your Provider number (for billing).
6: Information for parents
- Parents can see the RCH Outpatients website for more, general information.
- Parents should receive a letter or SMS message within a week to several weeks asking them to call the RCH to book an appointment for their child.
- They can call (03) 9345 6180 for appointment rescheduling.
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Frequently Asked Questions - for patients new to outpatients - Factsheet for parents
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Visit the Department of Human Services (DHS) website for translation in 19 languages.
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RCH Parent factsheets (Kids Health Info)