Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - No Category 1 criteria
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Orthopaedics · Refer Your Patient
Shoulder Pain
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Shoulder Pain.
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Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Suspected acute rotator cuff tear - Shoulder pain or dysfunction compromising employment
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - Other shoulder conditions causing persistent pain or functional impairment despite attempts at non-operative management including physiotherapy and simple analgesics
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Pain history - Functional impact including on employment if applicable - Management to date - Plain Xray - Ultrasound if Xray normal - MRI not required but negates other imaging if obtained
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