​​Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Known chronic liver disease and any of the following are present:
    • new lesion (excluding simple cysts)
    • lesion suggestive of hepatocellular cancer according to radiology report
    • raised alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
  • No underlying liver disease but radiology suggests lesion suspicious for malignancy.
Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

Other liver lesions (unless imaging strongly suggests benign aetiology).

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Liver imaging result (current and any previous).
  • Full blood count.
  • Tumour markers: alpha feto-protein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (Ca 19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).
  • Coagulation profile test result.
  • Liver function test result.
  • Renal function test result.
  • Patient health summary (including relevant medical history and medications).

If available

  • History of underlying liver disease and/or cirrhosis.
  • Hepatitis B serology (HBV sAg, sAb, cAb).
  • Hepatitis C serology (HCV Ab).
  • If the patient identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • If the patient is considered ‘at risk’ and/or among a vulnerable, disadvantaged or priority population.

Important information for referring health professionals​

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.​​​

​Contact us

If you would like to provide feedback about the contents of this page, please submit an enquiry to the SRC project team at NSW Health.

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Current as at: Wednesday 14 February 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing