Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - No category 1 criteria
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Orthopaedics · Refer Your Patient
Knee injury (acute)
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Knee injury (acute).
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Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Isolated displaced meniscal tear in patient < 30 - Displaced meniscal tear + cruciate ligament rupture in patient < 50
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - Cruciate ligament injuries not meeting criteria for Category 1 or 2 - Suspected or confirmed meniscal injuries not meeting criteria for Category 1 or 2 that fail to settle after 3 months of non-operative management - Patella instability without displaced osteochondral fragment
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Mechanism of injury - Current symptoms - Examination findings including swelling/effusion, range of motion and ligament exam - MRI if patient meets eligibility criteria - Inability to extend the knee - Suspected anterior cruciate ligament tear - Plain Xray if not eligible for MRI
Out of scope / wrong door
The following conditions are out of scope for this service: - Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery - Disability assessment (refer to HealthPathways) - Referrals for assessment prior to application for the Australian Defence Force or Queensland Police Service
Parent service: Orthopaedics
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
HealthPathways
Sign in for localised assessment and management. HealthPathways does not send the referral. Register: gchealthpathways@health.qld.gov.au