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Respiratory and Sleep Medicine · Refer Your Patient
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Shortness of breath / dyspnoea without a known cause.
Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Severe breathlessness — breathless on minimal exertion or with routine daily activities (e.g. dressing, walking a few minutes, moving around the house); consistent with Class III–IV dyspnoea - Oxygen saturation 90–92% at rest
Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Moderate breathlessness — breathless after walking short distances on level ground at own pace, not explained by another known condition, causing some limitation in daily activities
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - Unexplained Stable breathlessness on strenuous exertion (hurrying or walking upstairs or inclines) greater than expected for age and level of fitness with minimal effect on daily activities
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- CT chest - Relevant cardiac investigations such as echocardiography - Smoking history - FBC 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.
The following conditions are out of scope for this service: - Chest pain without abnormalities on CT chest - Occupational lung screening - Direct screening for TB – should be referred to contact and immigration screening (regional Tuberculosis control centre) - Pleural plaques
Parent service: Respiratory and Sleep Medicine
Sign in for localised assessment and management. HealthPathways does not send the referral. Register: gchealthpathways@health.qld.gov.au