Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - No category 1 criteria
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Ears, Nose, Throat (ENT) · Refer Your Patient
Otitis media – acute otitis media with or without perforation
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Otitis media – acute otitis media with or without perforation.
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Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Suspicion of complicated otitis media e.g. cholesteatoma - Painful discharging ears despite topical antibiotic (first line) and/or PO antibiotic therapy (second line) for 5 days - Children with physical/structural/ medical comorbidities e.g. cleft palate, craniofacial abnormalities, diabetes, SNHL
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - ASOM with ear drum perforation with persisting concerns > 6 weeks - Recurrent AOM – more than 3 episodes of acute otitis media in 6 months or - Recurrent AOM – more than 4 episodes of acute otitis media in a 12-month period
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Medical management to date 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
HealthPathways
Sign in for localised assessment and management. HealthPathways does not send the referral. Register: gchealthpathways@health.qld.gov.au