Clinical Lead - Dr Joseph O'Callaghan
Catchment criteria applies for referrals for this service. Patient referrals from outside the Mater SEQ Catchment (which includes Metro South and West Moreton Hospital and Health Services) may not be accepted.
This page contains information for general practitioners on how to refer patients aged 16 years and over to the Rheumatology specialist clinic at Mater Hospital Brisbane. These services are offered in our specialist outpatient clinics and for eligible patients aged between 16 and 25 years at Mater Young Adult Health Centre Brisbane.
The Rheumatology service consists of specialist Rheumatologists, a registrar and a resident. The Rheumotology service at Mater Hospital Brisbane offers inpatient and outpatient services and also offers a Young Adult Clinic (for patients aged 16-25) and a day infusion service for intravenous biologics.
Referral Guideline Development
These Mater Referral Guidelines align with standardised best practice tools for referral to publicly funded specialist outpatient services developed in Queensland through the Clinical Prioritisation Criteria project.
Bulk Billed Clinics
Mater Health Services offers patients the opportunity to attend bulk billed clinics. To provide your patient with the opportunity to attend a bulk billed specialist clinic, please provide a named referral to one of our specialists.
Current Waiting Time for Appointments
We provide up to date data on how long patients are waiting for their first appointment by specialty here.
Contact us
If you would like to discuss a referral, including clinical criteria, or update the status of a current patient please contact our priority GP phone line on 07 3163 2200
Emergency care
If any of the following are present or suspected, phone 000 to arrange immediate transfer to the emergency department or seek emergency medical advice if in a remote region:
Axial Spondyloarthritis – Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Concerns for septic arthritis
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Connective Tissue Disease - SLE, Scleroderma, MCTD, Sjogren’s Syndrome and undifferentiated or overlap CTDs
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Crystal Arthritis – Gout and CPPD (pseudogout)
- Concerns for septic arthritis
- Severe drug reaction to Allopurinol
Giant Cell Arteritis/Temporal Arteritis
- Presentation to ED if visual disturbance or loss
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent revie
Myositis - polymyositis, dermatomyositis, CTD associated myositis and undifferentiated inflammatory myositis
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Peripheral Spondyloarthritis - Psoriatic arthritis and Reactive arthritis
- Concerns for septic arthritis
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Concerns for septic arthritis
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Vasculitis
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Conditions in scope
Axial Spondyloarthritis – Ankylosing Spondylitis
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- History of symptoms (Severity of back pain/stiffness and peripheral symptoms), evolution and rate of deterioration
- Features of inflammatory back pain e.g. morning stiffness, young age, nocturnal pain, response to NSAIDs
- Presence of psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, or uveitis
- If on a biologic DMARD and for PBS review, please state timeframe
- FBC, E/LFTs, CRP and ESR
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Family history of spondylarthritis (e.g. psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, or uveitis)
- Details of previous treatment/management offered and assessment of efficacy including relevant PBS documentation
- HLA-B27
- Pelvic XR +/- MRI results affected joints
Patient resources
- Refer to local Healthpathways or local guidelines
- Support Services and information Arthritis Queensland
- Patient Information Sheet on Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Patient Information Sheet on Non-Radiographic axial Spondyloarthritis
- Empowered – patient information on Ankylosing Spondylitis from Arthritis Australia
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 –Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No defined category 1 criteria
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| No defined category 3 criteria |
Connective Tissue Disease-SLE, Scleroderma, MCTD, Sjogren's Syndrome and undifferentiated or overlap CTDs
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Relevant history, of onset and time since onset
- Specify symptoms including joints/muscles, ulcers, Raynaud’s, alopecia, skin rashes or ulceration, dysphagia or GORD, sicca symptoms
- Extra-articular manifestations including kidney, lungs, cardiac, neurological
- FBC, E/LFT, CRP and ESR
- Rheumatoid Factor or anti-CCP
- ANA, ENA, dsDNA, C3, C4, CK
- Urine analysis for MCS, casts and protein
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Skin biopsy histology
- Imaging results
Patient resources
- Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
- Early discussion with Rheumatologist will aid prioritisation, if the patient is unwell and may need to be seen urgently.
- Support services and information Arthritis Queensland
- Patient Information Sheet on Scleroderma
- Patient Information Sheet on Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Patient Information Sheet on SLE/ Lupus
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
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Crystal Arthritis – Gout and CPPD (pseudogout)
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- History of onset and time of gout onset, recurrence, joints involved (swelling, pain, morning stiffness, number of joints involved and location)
- Details of treatments offered (if available)
- FBC, E/LFT, Urate, CRP and ESR
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Synovial fluid microscopy with cell count and crystal analysis
- Interference with activities of daily living and working ability
- Imaging of joints (XR/CT/MRI results)
- Other screening previously performed including rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP (if available)
Patient resources
- Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
- Support Services and information Arthritis Queensland
- Patient Information Sheet on Gout
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
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| No category 3 criteria
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Fibromyalgia
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Details of treatments offered (if available)
- Relevant history (Sleep disturbance, morning stiffness/fatigue, widespread myalgias)
- Clinical examination including widespread tenderness, absence of swollen joints
- FBC, E/LFTs, ESR, CRP
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Psychosocial evaluation
- TSH, CK, Iron studies
- Joint imaging (if available)
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
- Please see Persistent Pain CPC
Patient resources
- Support services and information Arthritis Queensland
- Patient Information Sheet on Fibromyalgia
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
| No category 2 criteria | Clarification of diagnosis and/or management strategies for fibromyalgia |
Giant Cell Arteritis/Temporal Arteritis
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General referral information
- Relevant history:
- with age of onset of symptoms greater than 50 years
- onset and time since onset of headaches, visual disturbance, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness
- Details of treatments offered including steroid exposure (if available)
- FBC, E/LFT, ESR and CRP
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Temporal artery biopsy histology
- Bone mineral density (if available)
- Other screening previously performed including HepB, HepC, HIV, QuantiFERON Gold (QFG) (if available)
- PET CT, CXR or US (if available)
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
- Early discussion with Rheumatologist will aid prioritisation, if the patient is unwell and may need to be seen urgently.
Patient resources
- Support services and information Arthritis Queensland
- Patient Information Sheet on Giant Cell Arteritis
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days
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Suspected new onset and/or active Giant Cell Arteritis | Stable Giant Cell Arteritis on treatment | No category 3 criteria |
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General referral information
- FBC, ELFT, ESR, CRP
- Description of involved joints and presence/absence of joint swelling
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- RF, CCP, ANA, HLA B27 when relevant
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Is the patient currently under the care of a paediatric rheumatologist?
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
New onset/active or untreated JIA
| Stable JIA | No category 3 criteria |
Myositis - polymyositis, dermatomyositis, CTD associated myositis and undifferentiated inflammatory myositis
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Relevant history, of onset and time of muscle symptoms including weakness and/or pain
- Details of treatments offered and assessment of efficacy (if available)
- FBC, E/LFT, ESR and CRP, CK
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Muscle or Skin biopsy histology (if available)
- Extent of skin, joint, respiratory or other symptoms
- History of statin use
- ANA, ENA, dsDNA, C3, and C4
- Other previously performed MRI, EMG (if available)
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
- Early discussion with Rheumatologist will aid prioritisation, if the patient is unwell and may need to be seen urgently.
Patient resources
- Support services and information Arthritis Queensland
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days
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New onset and/or active myositis including polymyositis, dermatomyositis, Connected Tissue Disease associated myositis and undifferentiated inflammatory myositis |
| No category 3 criteria |
Osteoarthritis
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Relevant history, of onset, recurrence, acuity, joints involved
- Details of treatments offered (if available)
- Interference with activities of daily living and working ability
- XR affected joints
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- FBC, U&E, ELFTs, ESR, CRP, Urate
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
- Please note that CPCs have been developed Knee pain (acute) and Knee pain (chronic)
- Support services and information Arthritis Queensland
- Patient Information Sheet on Osteoarthritis
- Online self-management tool – My Joint Pain
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
| No category 2 criteria |
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Peripheral Spondyloarthritis - Psoriatic arthritis and Reactive arthritis
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- History of inflammatory arthritis- symptoms, evolution and rate of deterioration
- Number and location of swollen, tender joints, tenosynovitis, enthesitis or dactylitis
- Duration of early morning stiffness (greater or less than 30 minutes)
- Extra-articular, axial or systemic features
- Presence of psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or inflammatory eye disease (uveitis)
- If on a biologic DMARD and for PBS review, please state timeframe
- FBC, E/LFTs CRP, ESR
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Pain assessment –waking up at night, analgesic consumption, aggravating and relieving factors
- Interference with activities of daily living and working ability
- HLA-B27
- Imaging e.g. XR, MRI/US results of affected joints
- Details of previous treatment/management offered and assessment of efficacy including relevant PBS documentation
- Other screening previously performed including CXR, HepB, HepC, HIV, QuantiFERON Gold (QFG), Rheumatoid factor and Anti-CCP
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
Patient resources
- Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
- Support Services and information Arthritis Queensland
- Patient Information Sheet on Spondyloarthritis
- Patient Information Sheet on Psoriatic Arthritis
- Patient Information Sheet on Reactive Arthritis
- Empowered – patient information on Psoriatic Arthritis from Arthritis Australia
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
New onset, suspected or recently diagnosed inflammatory arthritis Active established inflammatory arthritis requiring escalation of management | Known Spondyloarthritis on established conventional or biologic DMARDs | No category 3 criteria |
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Relevant history of onset, recurrence, acuity (muscle pain, morning stiffness, headaches, amaurosis fugax)
- Details of treatments offered (if available)
- FBC, E/LFT, ESR and CRP
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- TFTs, CK, RF, anti-CCP, Serum EPP
- Other screening previously performed including CXR, HepB, HepC, HIV, QuantiFERON Gold (QFG), Bone density (if available)
- Cancer screening information (if available)
Patient resources
- Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
- Support Services and information Arthritis Queensland
- Patient Information Sheet on Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Any concern for concomitant Giant Cell Arteritis/Temporal Arteritis |
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- History of inflammatory arthritis symptoms, evolution and rate of deterioration
- Number and location of swollen, tender joints
- Duration of early morning stiffness (greater or less than 30 minutes)
- Rheumatoid factor and Anti-CCP
- If on a biologic DMARD and for PBS review, please state timeframe
- FBC, E/LFTs CRP, ESR
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Extra-articular and systemic features, if any including weight loss
- Imaging e.g. XR, MRI/US results of affected joints
- Details of previous treatment/management offered and assessment of efficacy including relevant PBS documentation
- Pain assessment e.g. waking up at night, analgesic consumption, aggravating and relieving factors
- Interference with activities of daily living and working ability
- Other screening previously performed including CXR, HepB, HepC, HIV, QuantiFERON Gold (QFG)
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
- Support Services and information Arthritis Queensland
- Patient Information Sheet on Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Empowered – patient information on Rheumatoid Arthritis from Arthritis Australia
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
New onset, suspected or recently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis
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Vasculitis (non GCA/Temporal Arteritis)
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Relevant history, of onset and time since onset of skin, joint, respiratory, sinus or other symptoms
- Details of treatments offered (if available)
- FBC, E/LFT, ESR and CRP
- ANCAs
- Urinalysis for MCS, casts, protein
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Skin, artery, respiratory tract or renal biopsy histology
- RhF or anti-CCP
- ANA, ENA, dsDNA, C3 and C4
- CXR (if available)
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
- Early discussion with Rheumatologist will aid prioritisation, if the patient is unwell and may need to be seen urgently.
- Support services and information Arthritis Queensland
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
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