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Post Acute Programs · Refer Your Patient
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 — Speech Pathology.
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Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. Intervention within 3-5 working days
- Dysphagia (swallow impairment) related to recent aspiration pneumonia;
- Sudden deterioration in dysphagia/saliva management resulting in coughing/choking/aspiration;
- Clients commencing thickened fluids on discharge;
- Referrals marked as urgent by referrer
Intervention within 6-14 working days
- New onset of dysphagia however still managing food/fluids/oral medications;
- Ongoing management of swallow function/dysphagia if already assessed by another SP (i.e. post-acute);
- Education and support of communication impairments (incl. dysarthria, dyspraxia of speech, cognitive communication disorders, dysphonia and aphasia) where functional communication is severely compromised, and client does not require rehabilitation
Intervention within 15-28 working days
- Need for alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) for functional communication for progressive/ chronic conditions
- Education and support of communication impairments where communication remains functional for daily needs and client does not require rehabilitation
Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. No category 2 criteria
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. No category 3 criteria
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Patient Consent to referral
- Reason for Referral
- Date of diagnosis
- Does the client have any cognitive decline or capacity issues?If yes, has the patient received a definite diagnosis?
Out of scope / wrong door
- Patients under 18 years of age
- Workcover patients
- Patients residing in a Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF)
- Patients accessing NDIS
- From 1 November, 2025 - Patients accessing Levels 4 to 8 - Support @ Home Programme package through My Aged Care (MAC)
- Prior to 1 November, 2025- Patients accessing Level 3 or 4 Home Care Package through My Aged Care (MAC)
- DVA Gold Card Holders
- Patients currently receiving inpatient services including HITH or GEMITH
- Do not provide services in conjunction with GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement
NB: Individual services within the Post Acute suite can consider accepting the above patients on a case-by-case basis
Social Work:
- Patients who are experiencing acute homelessness
- Patients who are experiencing financial hardship that is urgent in nature
- Patients with no decision making capacity
- Patients accessing Specialist Palliative Care Services-Community
- Patients requiring completion/filling out of paperwork
- Acute Mental Health conditions
- Acute Elder Abuse
- Domestic and Family Violence (DFV), Sexual Assault
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Relationship and family counselling
Physiotherapy:
- Referrals for ongoing care for a chronic condition are not eligible
- Patients currently being seen by a private Physiotherapist are not eligible
- Patients accessing Physiotherapy through Community providers
Dietetics:
- Patients seeking Antenatal care
- Patients accessing an Eating Disorder Management and Treatment Plan
- Head and Neck Cancer (non-palliative)
Occupational Therapy:
- Driving Assessments
- Vascular Intervention
- NDIS Access Request Reports
- Acute Hand Management
- Splints
Speech Pathology:
- Patients currently accessing speech pathology outpatient services
- Therapy of communication impairments secondary to aphasia, cognitive communication impairments, dysarthria and apraxia of speech: Forward referrals to Speech Pathology Service, Communication Outpatients, Gold Coast University Hospital - Tel. 5687 3001
- Assessment and therapy of voice disorders: Forward referrals to Speech Pathology Service, Voice Outpatients, Robina Hospital – Tel. 5668 5962; Fax 5668 6685
- Assessment and implementation of LSVT program for Parkinson’s disease patients (individualised): Forward referrals to Speech Pathology Service, Outpatient LSVT Clinic, Robina Hospital – Tel. 5668 5969
Parent service: Post Acute Programs
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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