Referral pathways Dr Kotha · Gold Coast GP

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Headaches/migraine

Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Headaches/migraine.

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Cat 1 · 30 days

appointment within 30 calendar days. - Abnormal neurological exam with concerning features on neuroimaging (new onset headache) - Severe/acute trigeminal Neuralgia with inability to eat Concerning features: - sudden onset/thunderclap headache - severe headache with signs of systemic illness (fever, neck stiffness, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness) - first severe headache age > 50 years - severe headache associated with recent head trauma - recent onset headaches in young obese females - headaches with papilloedema - >50 years with raised CRP/ESR or if giant cell arteritis or vasculitis suspected

Cat 2 · 90 days

appointment within 90 calendar days. - Severe frequent headaches and trial of at least 3 migraine preventive medications without improvement (list 3 treatments trialled)

Cat 3 · 365 days

appointment within 365 calendar days. - Chronic/complicated headache/migraine unresponsive to medical management

Essential referral information

Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.

- Medication history, including non-prescription medications, herbs and supplements - List all treatments trialled (at least three prophylactics – i.e.. Not tryptans or acute analgesics) and reasons for failure

Out of scope / wrong door

Adult - Mild or tension headache - Untreated headache/migraine - Dementia without prior assessment by physician or geriatrician - Syncope (consider cardiology) - Fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome - Lyme disease - Head injury include post-concussion injury - Radiculopathy or chronic back pain, see specific Spine CPC - Chronic unexplained pain/ pain syndrome - Falls (refer to General Medicine CPC or Geriatrics first) [https://www.health.qld.gov.au/cpc/general-medicine/falls] - Dizziness (To General Medicine first) [https://www.health.qld.gov.au/cpc/general-medicine/states-of-altered-neurological-function] - Stroke rehabilitation (To Rehabilitation) - Functional disorders that do not resemble Neurological conditions” e.g. functional blindness - Concussion - Simple febrile seizures in a developmentally normal child with no risk factors for epilepsy (e.g. no known brain abnormality) - New onset epileptic seizures in a developmentally normal child > 2 years of age (unless specific criteria for - Neurology referral – see Epilepsy/Seizures CPC’s) - Syncope with stiffening/twitching during the syncopal event (convulsive syncope) - Head injury including concussion (consider neurosurgery and rehabilitation services) - Tics and Tourette syndrome - ADHD - Autism spectrum disorders, unless concern for epileptic encephalopathy or regression - Mild global developmental delay - Headache (unless specific criteria for Neurology referral – see Headache/Migraine CPC’s) - Toe walking without fixed foot deformity, - Cerebral palsy (Paediatrician and Rehabilitation services can refer to Neurology for support with aetiological diagnosis if required) - Stereotypic movements (primary or complex motor stereotypies) – differentiating from epilepsy in a young child can be supported by Neurologist review of videos - Dizziness and vertigo (unless paroxysmal in nature and concern for an epileptic basis) - Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (unless specific criteria for Neurology referral – see Headache/Migraine CPC’s) - Functional neurological symptom disorder (unless specific criteria for Neurology referral – see Functional Neurological Symptoms CPC’s) - Bell’s palsy - Erb’s/Klumpke’s palsy - Horner’s syndrome - Arterio-venous malformation, Vein of Galen malformations, Arterio-Venous fistulas and aneurysms (consider neurosurgery) - Haematological disorders with no previous stroke but concern regarding increased risk of stroke (consider Haematology referral) - Incidental findings on MRI brain scans considered of no clinical significance for the patient now or into the future, specifically static T2/FLAIR hyperintensities in white matter (‘unidentified bright objects’) and pineal cysts. Approximately 18% of MRIs in healthy volunteers show incidental findings, of these 15/18% required no referral. Of incidental findings that require referral, the majority are neurosurgical conditions (tumor, arachnoid cyst, vascular abnormalities such as cavernous angioma). Progressive demyelinating disorders (multiple sclerosis) are rare in childhood, if this condition is considered, call the on-call Neurology service (after transfer of images to Queensland Health PACS system so they are available for case discussion) Paediatric

Parent service: Neurology

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

HealthPathways

Sign in for localised assessment and management. HealthPathways does not send the referral. Register: gchealthpathways@health.qld.gov.au

goldcoast.communityhealthpathways.org

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