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High-risk foot (Diabetes and Endocrinology)
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — High-risk foot (Diabetes and Endocrinology).
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Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Foot ulcer or pressure injury with mild to moderate infection <2cm around wound
- Necrosis / dry gangrene (with or without ulceration)
- Non infected foot ulcer. For optimal care, a patient with an ulcer will be reviewed within 48 hours by a specialist High Risk Foot Service
- Active or suspected acute Charcot foot
Note: client to present to High Risk Foot Service / diabetes specialist service within 24 hours. If no specialist service is available, consult with a specialist service via telehealth e.g. Statewide Podiatry telehealth, Referral Statewide Community Foot Care Hub or present to an emergency department. [https://qheps.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/2540937/sw1005.pdf]
Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - High Risk Foot (IWGDF Risk Stratification): Loss of protective sensation (LOPS) or Peripheral artery disease (PAD), and one or more of the following:
- History of foot ulcer
- A lower extremity amputation (minor or major)
- End-stage renal disease
- Peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy, or foot deformity in the absence of adequate community resources
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - No category 3 criteria
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Medical history, medications (recent Antibiotics) and allergies, foot disease history e.g. previous foot ulceration or amputation
- Details of all treatments offered and efficacy
- Peripheral pulses, femoral/popliteal/foot, including claudiaction distance, rest pain, ischaemic changes
- Bone infection suspected
If a specific test result cannot 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:
- Clients – without Peripheral Neuropathy or Peripheral Arterial Disease, or significant foot deformity
- No previous history of foot ulcer or lower limb amputation
- Routine nail care
- Pathological or non-pathological ingrown toenails (unless associated with an underlying comorbidity deeming the foot to be a high risk foot
Parent service: Podiatry
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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