A patient consults with their GP

Hip trauma in children

Statewide referral criteria

Specialty: Children's Orthopaedic
Age group: Children

Direct to an emergency department

  • Hip dislocation
  • Suspected joint infection (e.g. child is unwell, listless, flushed, anorexic or is febrile)
  • Suspected neck of femur fracture, or fracture requiring manipulation or operation
  • Suspected or confirmed slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE).

Criteria for referral to public hospital service

Not applicable.

Information to be included in the referral

Not applicable.

Additional comments

The Minimum information for referrals to non-admitted specialist services lists the information that should be included in a referral request.

All patients with suspected or confirmed slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE), hip dislocation or suspected neck of femur fracture should be referred to an appropriate emergency department for an orthopaedic assessment, public hospital specialist clinics should not receive any referrals for this presenting problem.

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

Not applicable.

Updated

Where to get help

Patients
For information about your specific medical condition, care pathway and/or wait times, please contact your GP or health service that you have been referred to.

General Practitioners
If your query relates to a referral for a specialist clinic, please contact the relevant health service directly or refer to their website for guidance.

For all other queries
Email plannedcare@health.vic.gov.au.