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Orthopaedic Surgery
Outpatients
Information about outpatient clinics for the assessment and management of all adult and paediatric orthopaedic conditions.
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 (Level 2)
Note: The easiest way to access the clinic is through the Frankland Streetreet entrance (near Cafeteria)
Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5203
North West
North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6300
Fax: 6464 1928
Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 6478 5500
Fax: 6441 5928
Emergency conditions
Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):
- Septic arthritis
- Unstable fractures
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
Fractures that have had initial first aid treatment (GP or ED) are seen in the Orthopaedic Clinic as urgent referrals. For urgent or unstable fractures that may require operative intervention phone the Orthopaedic Registrar on duty to discuss the case.
Back pain please consider Neurosurgery Clinic or Back Assessment Clinic (south only).
Referral process
A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the referral standards. eReferral is now the preferred method of referral for this service and is available in All regions. Please refer via HealthLink SmartForm eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see the creating an eReferral quick guide.
Specific requirements are detailed in the individual clinic and condition referral guidelines.
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 appointments
Urgent (Category 1)
Urgent referrals (including fractures) should be accompanied by a phone call to the Registrar to organise urgent review in clinic.
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.
