Referring to Sydney Pain Clinic

Question 1

How do I send a referral?

Accepted Answer

HealthLink is our preferred referral channel: EDI tzechowc. Referrals can also be sent to info@sydneypainclinic.com or faxed to 02 8088 7877. Confirm the recipient details before sending patient information and use your practice's approved process. Call 02 8866 1393 if you need to confirm the clinician or consulting location. The general website enquiry form is for practice contact details, not patient records, attachments or urgent clinical requests.

Question 2

What information is useful in a pain referral?

Accepted Answer

Keep the referral concise. State the question you would like answered and the purpose of the referral. Question to answer: the clinical question or decision you need help with. Referral purpose: assessment for a pain procedure, multidisciplinary pain management, opioid-weaning planning, or another specific goal. Brief background: pain history, relevant findings, treatments tried and response, current medicines and doses. Supporting information: relevant reports, patient and referrer contact details, referral date and funding arrangements.

Question 3

Must a referral name a particular specialist?

Accepted Answer

Services Australia does not require referral to a specific specialist or consultant physician. Confirm the receiving clinic's booking arrangements separately. A referral for consideration of a treatment is a request for assessment; it does not establish that a particular procedure is suitable or will be offered.

Question 4

How do I check that a referral has arrived?

Accepted Answer

Ask the team how receipt will be acknowledged and who your practice should contact if confirmation is not received. Confirm what happens next before advising the patient that an appointment has been arranged. Wait times, clinician availability and any further information needed should be checked directly with the clinic.

Question 5

What should I ask about shared care and GP reports?

Accepted Answer

Our aim is to send the referring GP a prompt letter after consultation, summarising the assessment and management plan. Clarify the communication arrangements for this referral rather than assuming a fixed reporting time or shared-care agreement. Who will receive the assessment report and how should your practice follow up if it has not arrived? Who is responsible for prescribing, monitoring and follow-up, and how will any proposed changes be communicated? How can the GP and other treating practitioners contribute to the management plan? Who should be contacted if the patient's circumstances or clinical needs change? Ask about the appropriate urgent pathway separately.

Question 6

Which consulting location should I request?

Accepted Answer

Tell the team whether Potts Point, Chatswood, Burwood or Westmead is preferred. Confirm the clinician and location for the particular appointment. Consulting rooms and any subsequent procedure venue may differ.