Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Severe/disabling symptoms of nerve compression and/or muscle weakness or wasting and NCS confirmation of diagnosis - Soft tissue tumour of the hand with suspicion of malignancy
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Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery · Refer Your Patient
Reconstructive hand surgery
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Reconstructive hand surgery.
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Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Frequent symptoms of nerve compression and any of the following: - rapid progression - recurrence after surgical decompression - failed maximal medical management - Major impacts on ADLs and/or employment
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - Secondary hand surgery after injury - Stenosing tenosynovitis and failed medical management - Rheumatoid hand deformity with impaired function or pain and failed maximal medical management - Symptomatic or enlarging ganglion of the hand
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- History of handedness, occupation, significant hobbies and anticoagulant therapy - Smoking status - Medical management to date (include Allied health input and steroid injections) - Detailed clinical examination with sensory mapping and functional assessment (include impacts on ADL and employment) - Comprehensive neurovascular assessment - Details of functional impairment - XR for confirmed or suspected fracture or rheumatoid hand deformity - NCS (required for Cat 1 cases only) - Hand Ultrasound for stenosising tenosynovitis and soft tissue tumours of the hand
Out of scope / wrong door
Adult The following conditions are out of scope for this service: - Redundant tissue, excision (anywhere) - Minor or asymptomatic scarring - Liposuction - Asymptomatic benign lesions - Cosmetic rhinoplasty - Cosmetic labioplasty - Tattoo removal - Cosmetic augmentation mammoplasty - Gynaecomastia in the context of obesity where the breast size is proportionate to the body habitus - Replacement of breast implants - Small volume breast reductions done for re-shaping - Revisions after cosmetic surgery - Gender reassignment surgery - redirect through gender reassignment clinic Paediatric There are currently no out of scope conditions for this service.
Parent service: Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery
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