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Direct to an emergency department for:
- Acute onset of a movement disorder e.g. severe ataxia, dystonia, hemiballismus
- Acute dystonic crisis
- Acute akinetic crisis
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Device-related infection in people with deep brain stimulator implants.
Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services
- New or progressive tremor, non-essential tremor
- Suspected Parkinson’s disease or movement disorder
- Motor or non-motor complications of Parkinson’s disease leading to substantial disability.
Information to be included in the referral
Information that must be provided
- History and description of abnormal movements, severity of symptoms and degree of functional impairment.
Provide if available
- Liver function tests
- Full blood examination
- Thyroid stimulating hormone levels
- Previous investigations (e.g. nerve conduction study, electroencephalogram, CT or MRI of the brain)
- If symptoms are thought to be linked to probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection or Long COVID.
Additional comments
The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request.
The referral should include if this is a request for a second opinion.
Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.
Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for
- Movement disorders that have already been assessed and have a current management plan.