Site Home

Kids Connect

RCH > Other > Kids Connect

 

Outpatients - 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.  Triage staff will assign a child to the most appropriate clinic that has the shortest waiting time.

RCH Clinical Services Directory
Replaces the yellow and blue
hard-copy CSD. 


Please see the Clinical Services Directory online where you can look up RCH services by keyword, clinic name or specialty.  This includes community-based services such as HARP (the Community Asthma Program) etc. 

Each clinic links to:

  • Pre-referral guidelines
  • Parent information factsheets
  • Referral forms
  • Other online useful tools and resources where available.

 

Process for referring to OPD

1: Check the Clinical Services Directory online

  • You can choose to search RCH clinics or you may prefer that the RCH triages referrals to the most relevant clinic.
    • pre-referral guidelines
    • online resources
    • parent information
    • referral forms.

2: Check pre-referral guidelines

  • Pre-referral guidelines - suggestions for pre-referral management, contact information, links to referral forms, online resources and parent handouts.

3: Call

  • RCH specialists welcome any clinical enquiries. 
  • Tel (03) 9345 7060, #5 - ask for the relevant Registrar or Consultant on-call, or get direct contact details from the relevant Department or service.  

4: Type referral

5: Better information = better triaging

  • Referrals with insufficient information  for triaging may be faxed back to you requesting more information before booking an appointment.
  • 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: Fax

  • Fax your completed form to the Outpatient Department Booking Office - fax (03) 9345 5034.
  • For urgent referrals please also call the Outpatient Department booking office on (03) 9345 7060, #2.
  • An appointment will be posted to your patient as soon as it has been made.  This can be up to around four weeks. 

Contacts

  • Specialist advice
    RCH switch (03) 9345 5522 - ask for the relevant registrar or consultant on-call
    Contact the relevant department or service directly or call the Emergency Department
  • Urgent referral booking
    Tel (03) 9345 7060, #2
  • OPD appointment bookings office
    Fax (03) 9345 5034
  • Coordinating multiple appointments
    Contact Nurse Unit Manager OPD (03) 9345 5689 or OPD bookings (03) 9345 7060, #2
  • Private referrals
    See surgical pre-referral guidelines for surgeons' private numbers
    See online listing of general paediatricians

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.

Private referrals

Many families may prefer a private referral which will usually result in a shorter waiting time to consultation. 

  • Online database of paediatricians in Victoria
    Paediatrician Listing (RCH Department of Medicine)
    The list includes community, general and specialty paediatricians and can be sorted by suburb.

More referral forms and templates

  • Outpatients general RCH
    OPD General (Word)
  • VSRF (Word) - Victorian Statewide Referral Form
    The Victorian Statewide Referral Form (VSRF) is a straightforward, easy to use, electronic template for GP referrals. The purpose is to provide a standardised mechanism for referral from General Practice to state funded health providers. The RCH accepts referrals made on the Statewide Referral Form.
  • Pathology PDF Referral form (also see pathology website for more info)

Install to practice software

  • RTF template for GP software (Medical Director, Best Practice, ZedMed and GPComplete templates - valid 2007)
  • Important:  Please follow instructions on NEVDGP website or this PDF

 

Information for parents

Parents should receive an appointment by mail within a week to several weeks.  Parents can call the OPD if they have not received a referral and need to call the OPD as soon as possible if they need to reschedule or cannot make their appointment.  This helps us to rebook a new appointment time as most clinics fill quickly.   This also helps us make that appointment available to another patient. 

  • Parents call (03) 9345 6180 for appointment rescheduling.
  • Patient registration  - for parents to complete and take to the first appointment.
  • Frequently Asked Questions - for patients new to outpatients. Visit the Department of Human Services (DHS) website. Offers translation in 19 languages.

 

Getting to the RCH

  • The Royal Children's Hospital is located on the corner of Flemington Road and Gatehouse Street in Parkville.  Melway Map 2A, J5 or Map 43 E3.
  • Hospital parking can be difficult and costs about $4 per hour up to a maximum of $19 for 4 hours or more. 
  • The number 55 and 59 trams stop at the front entrance of the hospital. Public transport timetables can be accessed from the Yarra Trams website.
  • Rural and regional patients - from Southern Cross Station Parent factsheet

Getting around the RCH

Some tips to make your visit easier

  • Make sure your referral is up-to-date (less than one year from a GP, less than 3 months from a specialist).  If it is not, please bring an updated referral from your doctor.
  • Allow plenty of time for parking.
  • Bring toys and distractions.
  • Try to leave siblings and other children at home.
  • Look up the Kids Health Info website for any helpful factsheets.  If you can't find what you need, send an email.
  • For more useful parent information, see the Outpatient Department web site.

 

Last Updated 09-Sep-2009. Authorised by: Annie Moulden. Enquiries: Susan Jury.
webmaster. © RCH.