Referrals

A valid GP or Specialist referral is required for all services provided in the clinic – please visit your GP for an assessment if you feel a referral may be required.

All patients referred to the Kidney Centre RPA must have relevant investigations prior to an appointment and a valid referral.

What investigations are required?

• Blood tests including: recent and previous biochemistry and haematology (at a minimum: FBC, EUC, LFT, calcium, magnesium, phosphate)
• Urinary protein tests: spot urine protein-to-creatinine ratio OR spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio OR 24-hour urinary excretion for proteinuria
• Urinary sediments: urine microscopy for red cell morphology
• Ideally, any type of renal tract imaging (ultrasound to CT)

All referrals MUST BE sent to the Kidney Centre RPA via fax (02 9515 1744) or via email to slhd-rpakidneycentre@health.nsw.gov.au BEFORE an appointment can be made. Please call and discuss any urgent cases with the on-call renal physician for expedited referrals.

For General Practitioner Specialists and other Specialists: What is a valid referral?

All referrals must include:

• Date and duration of referral. We normally accept 12-month period referrals only. For indefinite referrals, please discuss with the specialist nephrologist.
• An indication of the urgency of the referral
• All renal referrals must include a named consultant – if unsure, please address referral to Professor Steve Chadban and associates.
• We will endeavour to allocate the referral to the named specialist. However, please note that the referrals may be allocated to another specialist based on availability and clinical urgency
• Referrer’s name, address, provider number and signature
• Patient details: name, date of birth, address, phone number and other contact details
• Reason for referral
• Medical history
• List of medications
• Need for interpreter
• If available, most recent letter from other specialists (if applicable).