Specialty: Urology
Age group: Adult
Direct to an emergency department for:
- Unexplained acute onset urinary incontinence
- Symptoms suggest possible neurological emergency.
Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services
- Urge, stress, mixed or continued incontinence.
Information to be included in the referral
Information that must be provided:
- Midstream urine microscopy culture sensitivities
- Urinary tract ultrasound
- Urea and electrolytes.
Provide if available:
- Bladder diary.
Additional comments
The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request.
Referrals for incontinence due to a neurological disorder should be directed to a neurology service provided by the health service.
Referrals for patients with incontinence due to concurrent symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse stages 3 and 4 should be directed to a gynaecology service.
Referrals may be directed to a specialist continence clinic or continence service provided by the health service.
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
- Patients who have not yet tried, and failed, conservative treatment
Reviewed 05 May 2025