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Breast surgery
Outpatients
Information about outpatient clinics for the assessment and management of surgical conditions relating to the breast, including breast cancer.
The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form. This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date. If you receive this SMS, please update your details.
Availability
North
Launceston General Hospital
Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: (03) 6777 5214
North West
North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6430 6599
Fax: 6464 1928
Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 6441 5943 or 0409 924 496
South
Liverpool Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9941
Emergency conditions
Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):
- Unwell patient with systemic symptoms with breast abscess
Emergency care
If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.
Scope
- Breast augmentation and cosmetic procedures not related to surgical management of a pathological condition are not offered.
- Paediatric cases under the age of 14 should be referred to Paediatric Surgery.
- Mammography is not offered in the public system.
- McGrath Breast Care Nurse work statewide with both and private cancer patients and in clinics. They are there as a support and liaison person for these patients.
Referral process
A referral (preferably faxed) is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on the outpatient information for clinicians page.
Referrals are registered by the clinic to who they are referred and are triaged according to the specific clinic guidelines.
Where available, eReferral via HealthLink smart forms is now the preferred and only secure method of referral to the Tasmanian Department of Health.
Clinic appointment timeframes
Appointments are based on clinical priority.
Urgent (Category 1)
Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.
We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.
Semi-urgent (Category 2)
We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks.
Routine (Category 3)
Next available appointment.
Additional information
- If a patient has been through Breastscreen Tasmania, please send the letters from Breastscreen Tasmania with the patient and with the referral. Please attach any relevant old or new imaging reports with referrals.
- Advice for patients in relation to familial breast cancer risk can be obtained via the Cancer Australia website.
- Information for GPs regarding hereditary breast cancer referrals can be found on the Genetics Service page.
