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Radiation Oncology (Speech Pathology)
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Radiation Oncology (Speech Pathology).
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Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Suspected or confirmed oropharyngeal dysphagia in radiation oncology population with radiation toxicities and has the potential to require more complex, or emergent care if assessment is delayed or is preventing eating and drinking.
- Indicators for this category:
- History of recurrent chest infections
- Co-occurring dysphonia or dysarthria
- Gagging, choking, and/or coughing when swallowing food/fluids
- Food or liquids coming back up to throat, mouth, and/or nose after swallowing
- Patient feels like foods or liquids have been getting stuck in their throat AND are very concerned/anxious about swallowing problem
- Weight loss/loss of appetite/food avoidance
- Co-occurring chronic respiratory or neurological condition/s
Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Suspected or confirmed oropharyngeal dysphagia in radiation oncology population/s and condition is likely to require more complex care if assessment is delayed beyond 90 days.
- Indicators for this category:
- Patient feels like foods or liquids have been getting stuck in their throat AND are not concerned.
- Stable oropharyngeal dysphagia and/or to review progress/management plan.
- Radiation oncology patients with communication disorders (including dysarthria and dysphonia) that are likely to require more complex care if assessment is delayed beyond 90 days:
- Impact on functional communication and ability to participate in life roles resulting in potential impact on quality of life.
and
- Potential risk of depression and/or anxiety, and/or carer burden as a result of communication impairment which may require more complex care.
- Radiation oncology patients with trismus that is painful, impacting oral intake, oral care and/or communication.
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - Post radiation oncology with trismus that is non-symptomatic and stable.
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Head and neck surgical and radiation history including type and staging of cancer, surgery, date of surgery, and treating surgeon or radiation/medical oncologist
- Reason for referral – please provide information regarding the nature of swallowing or communication impairment
- Medical and social history
- Relevant medical imaging and reports
- Next of Kin
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:
Adult
Adult Voice and Dysphonia
- Residential aged care facility residents.
- Patients who receive Level 3 or 4 Home Care Packages.
- Patient with an NDIS package of care which is relevant to an existing disability.
- For patients who are transgender or gender diverse and wishing to alter their voice, please refer to the Gender Service at Metro North. [https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/specialist_service/refer-your-patient/gender-services]
Swallowing/Dysphagia
- Congenital condition causing dysphagia.
- Oesophageal dysphagia or oesophageal dysmotility in isolation without suspected oropharyngeal dysphagia.
- Patients with neurodegenerative or other conditions where long term dysphagia management is required (e.g. Motor Neurone Disease, Huntington’s Disease). These patients are more appropriate for the Chronic Disease and Post-Acute Speech Pathology service.
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Program
- For patients that present with dysarthria that is not characterised by hypophonia, please refer for communication outpatient services rather than the LSVT service.
Communication
- Developmental conditions (i.e., Autism Spectrum Disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual impairment).
- Conditions unrelated to confirmed or suspected neurological involvement.
- Patients who reside outside the GCHHS catchment area
- Patients who reside in high-care residential aged-care facilities
- Patients who communication difficulties resulting from developmental conditions (i.e., cerebral palsy, intellectual development)
- Patients who communication difficulties that are unrelated to a confirmed or suspected neurological cause
- Patients who receive a home care package (level 3 and above) or have an NDIS package and is already receiving, plans to receive or is sufficiently funded to see a speech pathologist offering the same level of services as Gold Coast Health
Regarding NDIS:
Adults who are accessing the NDIS/have NDIS funding are not excluded from this service if they have specific rehabilitation goals.
If their goals are aimed at accessing the community or participating in the community, then their needs will be more appropriately met through a community speech pathologist using their NDIS funding.
Consider reviewing alternative Speech Pathology outpatient/community services if patient does not fit the below criteria.
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)/Head & Neck/Laryngectomy
- Patients who have not undergone head and neck surgery or laryngectomy or tracheostomy.
- Patients under the care of a private Ear, Nose & Throat or Plastic Surgery or Maxillofacial specialist.
Radiation Oncology
- Patients who have not had radiation or chemotherapy to the head and neck region.
- Patients under the care of a private Radiation Oncologist.
Paediatric
- Infants/children who are eligible to receive another service in the community or at Queensland Children’s Hospital including:
- GCHHS Child Development Service- Mealtime clinic, Speech Pathology or multidisciplinary services
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)/ECEI services
- Education Queensland Speech Pathology services
Feeding and Swallowing
- Velopharyngeal insufficiency.
Communication
- Communication deficits associated with cleft lip/palate, velopharyngeal insufficiency, cochlear implant/hearing impairment.
Parent service: Speech Pathology
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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