Syncope or presyncope in paediatric patients

​​​Emergency

If any of the following are suspected, please seek emergency medical advice or refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary):

  • Syncope with evidence of complete AV block on electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Syncope with ongoing hemodynamic compromise

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • Recurrent episodes of presyncope with documented electrocardiogram (ECG) of normal heart rhythm correlating to symptoms

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days

  • Recurrent episodes of syncope with documented electrocardiogram (ECG) of abnormal heart rhythm correlating to symptoms

  • Single episode of syncope with any of the following features:

    • Abnormal resting ECG (i.e. pre-excitation, prolonged QT interval)
    • Exertional (i.e. sport, swimming or adrenergic stimuli such as gaming or emotional stress)
    • Family history of first-degree relative with heritable arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy and/or sudden cardiac death
    • Known heart disease

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days

  • Single episode of syncope without features listed in Category 1

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days

  • Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) with > 1 year of medical management

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition, including symptoms and their duration, and impact on activities of daily living and school attendance
  • Provisional diagnosis
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions)

If available

  • Cardiac investigations including electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter and/or event monitor
  • Family history of first-degree relative with heritable arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy and/or sudden cardiac death
  • History, exposure and use of tobacco, smoking and/or vaping

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.


 

Current as at: Thursday 10 September 2026
Contact page owner: System Purchasing