Department of Health

Specialty: Children's Orthopaedic
Age group: Children

Direct to an emergency department

  • Hip dislocation
  • Suspected joint infection (e.g. child is unwell, listless, flushed, anorexic or is febrile)
  • Suspected neck of femur fracture, or fracture requiring manipulation or operation
  • Suspected or confirmed slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE).

Criteria for referral to public hospital service

Not applicable.

Information to be included in the referral

Not applicable.

Additional comments

The Minimum information for referrals to non-admitted specialist services lists the information that should be included in a referral request.

All patients with suspected or confirmed slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE), hip dislocation or suspected neck of femur fracture should be referred to an appropriate emergency department for an orthopaedic assessment, public hospital specialist clinics should not receive any referrals for this presenting problem.

Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.

Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for

Not applicable.

Reviewed 02 October 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

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