Department of Health
A patient consults with their GP

General Surgery

Statewide referral criteria for referrals to public hospital general surgery services for adults

Abdominal wall and groin hernias

Criteria for referring adults with an abdominal wall or groin hernia to a general surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Advice on inherited breast cancer (high- risk patients)

Criteria for referring adults who are high risk for advice on inherited breast cancer to a general surgery or breast surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Assessment for breast reconstruction surgery

Criteria for referring adults for assessment for breast reconstruction surgery to a general surgery or breast surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Breast lumps and other conditions

Criteria for referring adults with breast lumps or other breast conditions to a general surgery or breast surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Breast reduction surgery

Criteria for referring adults for breast reduction surgery to a general surgery or breast surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Carpal tunnel and other nerve compression syndromes

Criteria for referring adults with carpal tunnel or other nerve compression syndromes to a general surgery or plastic surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Dupuytren’s contracture

Criteria for referring adults with Dupuytren’s contracture to a general surgery or plastic surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Gallbladder stones and polyps

Criteria for referring adults with gallbladder stones or polyps to a general surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Hand fractures and infections

Criteria for referring adults with a hand fracture or infection to a Victorian public hospital

Hiatus hernia

Criteria for referring adults with a hiatus hernia to a general surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Known or suspected hepatobiliary malignancy

Criteria for referring adults with a known or suspected hepatobiliary malignancy to a general surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Known or suspected upper gastrointestinal malignancy

Criteria for referring adults with a known or suspected upper gastrointestinal malignancy to a general surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Melanoma

Criteria for referring adults with a melanoma to a general surgery or plastic surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Perianal lumps

Criteria for referring adults with a perianal lump to a general surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Rectal bleeding - general surgery

Criteria for referring adults with rectal bleeding to a general surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Skin lesions and other skin cancers

Criteria for referring adults with a skin lesion or other skin cancers to a general surgery or plastic surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Stenosing tenosynovitis including trigger finger

Criteria for referring adults with stenosing tenosynovitis, including trigger finger, to a general surgery or plastic surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Suspected or confirmed breast cancer

Criteria for referring adults with suspected or confirmed breast cancer to a general surgery or breast surgery service in a Victorian public hospital

Reviewed 16 July 2025

Statewide Referral Criteria

Contact us

Address
50 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000

Phone
1300 650 172
National Relay Service

Email
plannedcare@health.vic.gov.au