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Nephrology · Refer Your Patient
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Chronic kidney disease (CKD).
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Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Stage 5 CKD (eGFR < 15) that does not require referral to emergency
- Stage 4 CKD (eGFR 15 – 29) with any of the following:
- severe complications (eg renal bone disease, acidosis, hyperkalaemia)
- symptoms of CKD (eg fatigue, restless legs, itch, weight loss, severe anaemia, mild uremic symptoms)
- multiple contributing comorbidities
- rapid deterioration
- Known CKD with severe anaemia (Hb <80g/L)
- Persistent nephrotic range proteinuria* (urine ACR > 220mg/mmol OR PCR > 300mg/mmol)
Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Stage 4 CKD (eGFR 15 – 29) that do not meet Category 1 criteria
- Stage 3a or b CKD with progressive deterioration in eGFR despite treatment (eg deterioration in eGFR >15mL/min/1.73m2 or > 25% over 12 months)
- CKD with resistant hypertension despite at least three antihypertensive agents including at least one diuretic
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - Chronic anaemia (Hb 80-100g/L) with CKD Stage 3a or b where other causes have been excluded
- Persistent sub-nephrotic range macroalbuminuria (urine ACR 30-220mg/mmol OR PCR 60-300mg/mmol)
- CKD with uncontrolled hypertension that are not achieving blood pressure target
- CKD without clear diagnosis
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Presence of comorbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or vascular disease
- List of medications
- FBC and ELFT results
- Serial urea, creatinine and eGFR results demonstrating abnormal eGFR over at least 3 months
- Urine albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) or urine protein creatinine ratio (PCR) (ideally early morning sample but a random sample is acceptable)
- Urine midstream M/C/S (including testing for red cell morphology and casts preferable)
- Recent BP results
- Ultrasound (kidney, ureters & bladder) or alternative kidney imaging results
Out of scope / wrong door
There are currently no out of scope conditions for this service.
Parent service: Nephrology
Send outpatient referrals to
- Smart Referrals preferred (Best Practice or Medical Director)
- Medical Objects GQ42150009Z (lookup qh → QHEALTH, GOLD COAST HEALTH OUTPATIENT)
- HealthLink EDI Qldgchsd
- Fax (07) 5687 4497 — Booking and Referral Centre
- Post: Booking and Referral Centre, Gold Coast University Hospital, 1 Hospital Boulevard, Southport QLD 4215
- Clinic enquiries 1300 559 083
How to refer — full order
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