Oral and Pharyngeal lesions Referral Access Criteria
Oral and Pharyngeal lesions Referral Access Criteria
Referrers should use this page when referring patients to public adult ENT outpatient services for oral and pharyngeal lesions.
|
| Emergency referral |
 If any of the following are present or suspected, refer the patient to the emergency department or seek emergency medical advice if in a remote region. |
- Pharyngeal/laryngeal foreign body
|
| Immediate referral |
 Immediately contact on-call registrar or service to arrange immediate ENT assessment (seen within 7 days):
|
|
To contact the relevant service, see Clinician Assist WA: Acute ENT assessment (external site)
|
| Clinical indications for outpatient referral |
If any of these issues are present, refer to outpatient services through the Central Referral Service (CRS).
|
|
|
| Mandatory information |
|
Referrals missing 'mandatory information' with no explanation provided may not be accepted by site. If 'mandatory information' is not included, the explanation must be provided in the body of the referral (e.g. patient unable to access test in regional or remote areas or due to financial reason).
This information is required to inform accurate and timely triage. If unable to attach reports, please include relevant information/findings in the body of the referral and advise where (provider) investigation/imaging was completed.
|
| History |
- Site, size, location, number, appearance (e.g. ulcerated, exophytic, keratotic), pain, bleeding
- History of tobacco +/- THC, alcohol, betel nut (high risk factors)
- Details of previous treatment and outcome (e.g. medication and duration)
|
| Examination |
|
| Investigations |
- Biopsy results (where available and providing it will not cause significant delay)
|
| Highly desirable |
| History |
|
| Examination |
|
| Investigations |
|
| Indicative clinical urgency category |
|
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days
|
- Suspicious oral or pharyngeal lesion (including lip, cheek, tongue, floor of mouth, hard/soft palate, uvula, palatine tonsils) with any of the following:
- leukoplakia
- ulceration/fungation
- pain
- bleeding
- discharge
- non-healing oropharynx ulcer for > 4 weeks
|
|
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days
|
-
Relapsing resolving migrating ulcers
|
|
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days
|
-
Oral discomfort/pain with no lesions (consider oral medicine referral)
|
Feedback
If you would like to submit feedback on the contents of the Referral Access Criteria, please complete this form.
Last reviewed: 02-10-2023