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Ears, Nose, Throat (ENT) · Refer Your Patient
Dysphagia (ENT)
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Dysphagia (ENT).
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Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Suspicion of oropharyngeal lesion - dysphagia and any of the following:
- hoarseness
- unilateral otalgia
- progressive weight loss
- smoking history
- excessive alcohol intake
- Significant stenotic/dysphagic symptoms and any of the following:
- gagging, choking, and/or coughing when swallowing
- food or liquids coming back up to throat, mouth, and/or nose after swallowing
- feel like foods or liquids are stuck in throat or chest or problems getting food or liquids to go down on the first attempt
- oropharyngeal pain or referred pain to ear when swallowing
- pain or pressure in chest or heartburn
- weight loss/loss of appetite/food avoidance
- shortness of breath post eating (in absence of other cause)
- Recurrent chest infections (aspiration pneumonia)
Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - No category 2 criteria
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - No criteria 3 criteria
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Neurology history (i.e. history of stroke, progressive neurological disease)
- Previous history of head/neck oncological treatment
If a specific test result is unable to be obtained due to access, financial, religious, cultural or consent reasons a Clinical Override may be requested. This reason must be clearly articulated in the body of the referral.
Out of scope / wrong door
The following conditions are out of scope for this service:
- Simple wax removal
- Chronic tinnitus unless disabling and/or associated with vertigo, otalgia, otorrhoea, balance disturbance or aural fullness
- Mild/brief orthostatic dizziness
- Hearing aid dispensation (Hearing service program) [https://hearingservices.gov.au/wps/portal/hso/site/HSOHome/!ut/p/a1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOK9A03NDD0NjLwtwvzdDBwd_UJ9vNxMjAy8DYAKIoEKDHAARwNC-sP1o_AqMTCFKsBjRUFuhEGmo6IiAGbW_L4!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/]
- Uncomplicated/chronic symmetrical hearing loss in patients eligible
- Cochlear implants or bone conduction implants for the treatment of single sided deafness in adults
- Simple ear drum perforation as part of acute otitis media
- Aesthetic surgery
- Diving assessments
- Workers’ compensation hearing assessments
- Central auditory processing assessments
- Requests for hearing assessment following failed automated hearing screen (eg – pharmacy; online)
Parent service: Ears, Nose, Throat (ENT)
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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