Communication (Aphasia, Dysarthria, Apraxia of Speech, Cognitive-Communication Disorders)
Adult

Speech Pathology

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Useful Management Information

The Speech Pathology adult communication outpatient service provides management of sub-acute and chronic neurological communication disorders, offering assessment, differential diagnosis, education, and individualized rehabilitation.
Neurological communication disorders commonly managed in this caseload:
- Aphasia
- Higher level language deficits
- Dysarthria
- Apraxia of speech
- Cognitive-communication impairments

Eligibility criteria for referral

Adults with communication difficulties of a neurological origin:
- Acquired brain injury (e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury, hypoxic brain injury and brain tumour)
- Progressive neurological conditions (e.g. dementias, Primary Progressive Aphasia, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington’s disease)

Exclusion criteria

Patients who:
- Reside outside the GCHHS catchment area
- Reside in high-care residential aged-care facilities
- Are under 18 years old
- Developmental conditions (i.e., cerebral palsy, intellectual impairment)
- Conditions unrelated to confirmed or suspected neurological involvement.
- If the patient receives a home care package (level 4 or above) or NDIS package and is already receiving, plans to receive or is sufficiently funded to see a speech pathologist offering the same level of service as Gold Coast Health.
Consider reviewing alternative Speech Pathology outpatient/community services if patient does not fit the below criteria.

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?

Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)	Adult communication disorders of a neurological origin, including aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, and/or cognitive-communication disorders: Significant impact to functional communication resulting in likely significant impact on quality of life. AND Reported or high risk of depression and/or anxiety and/or significant carer stress associated with patient’s communication impairment which has potential to require more complex care or emergent care. *plus (1) one or more of the below:* Recent discharge from Emergency Department or inpatient hospital ward. Minimal supports in place. Unable to communicate basic needs. Communication is non-functional. Unable to participate in key life roles.
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)	Adult communication disorders of a neurological origin, including aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, and/or cognitive-communication disorders: Impact on functional communication and ability to participate in life roles resulting in potential impact on quality of life. AND Potential risk of depression and/or anxiety, and/or carer burden as a result of communication impairment which may require more complex care.
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)	Adult communication disorders of a neurological origin, including aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, and/or cognitive-communication disorders: Communication function is stable or will unlikely require more complex care if not seen within one (1) year.
If the patient does not meet the criteria for referral but the referring practitioner believes the patient requires specialist review, a clinical override may be requested: Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.) Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service

Standard Referral Information

Reason for request

To establish a diagnosis
For treatment or intervention
For advice and management
For specialist to take over management
Reassurance for GP/second opinion
For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
Reassurance for the patient/family
For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

Relevant clinical information about the condition

Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
Physical findings
Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
All conservative options that have been pursued unsuccessfully prior to referral
Body mass index (BMI)
Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
Any special care requirements where relevant (e.g tracheostomy in place, oxygen required)
Current medications and dosages
Drug allergies
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

Patient's Demographic Details

Full name (including aliases)
Date and country of birth
Residential and postal address including whether patient resides at an aged care facility
Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
Medicare number (where eligible)
Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
Name of delegate and contact details (Department of Corrective Services)
Preferred language and interpreter requirements
Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Any special needs, access requirements and/or disability relevant to the referral

Referring Practitioner Details

Full name
Full address
Contact details – telephone, fax, email
Provider number
Date of referral
Signature
Nominated general practitioner’s details (if known), if the nominated general practitioner is different from the referring practitioner

Other relevant information

Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

Essential Referral Information

Clear reason for referral – please provide information regarding nature of acquired speech or language impairment
History / Duration of symptoms/condition
Medical and social history and list of medications
Results of relevant medical assessments/investigations/management of condition
Next of kin details
Relevant brain imaging and reports.

If a specific test result cannot be obtained due to access, financial, religious, cultural or consent reasons a clinical override may be requested. This reason must be clearly articulated in the body of the referral.

Additional Referral Information

Patient awareness of referral
Any other health care professionals currently involved (e.g. other Allied Health Professionals, Health Clinicians).
Previous speech pathology or specialist assessment reports.

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Not Available

Internal Referrals

(E-Blueslips)

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

Allied Health Outpatients
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

(07) 5687 3027

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

HealthPathways home page

Service Availability

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital

Robina Hospital

Tugun Satellite Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.

Communication (Aphasia, Dysarthria, Apraxia of Speech, Cognitive-Communication Disorders)Adult