Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services

• Chronic or recurrent infection with fever or malaise and decreased oral intake and any of the following:
  • four or more episodes in the last 12 months
  • six or more episodes in the last 24 months
  • tonsillar concretions with halitosis
  • absent from work or studies for four or more weeks in a year.
• Suspicious unilateral tonsillar solid mass with or without ear pain.

Information to be included in the referral

Information that must be provided:

• History of tonsillitis episodes and response to treatment
• If the patient is taking anticoagulant, or any other medicine that may reduce coagulation, or if there is a family history of coagulation disorder.

Provide if available:

Not applicable.

Additional comments

The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request.

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

• If the patient is not willing to have surgical treatment
• Halitosis without other symptoms.