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Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Outpatients
Assessment and management of patients with non-specific neurological symptoms. Unexplained sensory symptoms or fatigue, will be seen in the general neurology clinic. Most of these patients don't have MS. If they are subsequently shown to have MS, then they will be transferred to the MS clinic.
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
Not available.
North West
Not available.
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
- The MS clinic is not a service providing easy or quick access to MRI brain scans.
- Patients with established MS.
- Patients with other CNS demyelinating syndromes, e.g. neuromyelitis optica.
- Patients with recognized single demyelinating syndromes, e.g. optic neuritis or transverse myelitis.
- Patients who have been diagnosed with MS elsewhere (e.g. if moving interstate), must provide copies of their medical records and relevant investigations for review.
- All new patients need to provide copies of their brain and/or spine MRI scans for review.
Referral process
A referral (preferably faxed) is required for all new appointments and must conform to the referral standards.
All referrals are triaged and allocated to consultant or unit registrar based on clinical priority. Registrar cases will be discussed with consultant.
Please forward with referral any relevant clinical history, private investigation results and ask patients to bring current medication list and, if appropriate, any relevant x-rays.
Please indicate if an interpreter is required and for which language. We will arrange this when booking the appointment.
Appointments are based on clinical priority.
Where available, eReferral via HealthLink smart forms is now the preferred and only secure method of referral to the Tasmanian Department of Health.
Clinic appointments
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 try to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.
Semi-urgent (Category 2)
We will try to see these patients within 12 weeks.
Routine (Category 3)
Next available appointment.
