Information for Referrers

Please click on the links below for further information about:

• Cancers treated at Western Health
• Referrals for new or suspicious cancers
• Referrals to Sunshine Hospital Radiation Therapy Centre (SHRTC)
• Queries regarding patient care
• Multidisciplinary Meetings
• Clinical trials available at Western Health
• Palliative Care Research and Clinicial Trials
• Vaccinations
• Resources

​Symptoms Urgent Review Clinic  Phone 0421 570 707

Day Oncology Service. Phone (03) 8395 9177

For more phone numbers, see section below Queries regarding patient care.

The appropriate referral pathway for patients with a suspected or confirmed new cancer diagnosis is through Outpatients where they can be reviewed by the relevant Specialist Team. These referrals will be considered urgent and be scheduled to be seen as soon as possible, but within 30 days. Most patients do not require presentation to ED or admission for a suspected or confirmed new cancer diagnosis.

Please include as much detail as possible in your referral to allow us to accurately triage the referral and to prioritise urgent patients.  Click on the links below for:
· More information about general referral processes for cancer services at Western Health,
· More information and referral guidelines for specific tumour streams, and
· General information about referring to Western Health, including a copy of the Western Health referral form.
Referrals should be addressed to a named consultant.    

If you have particular concerns or questions about a patient, we recommend contacting the Registrar of the relevant unit via switch on (03) 8345 6666 to discuss the referral before sending the referral to the appropriate Specialist Clinic (details available here).

If you are concerned about immediate patient management, please refer the patient to the Emergency Department (ED) or speak to the relevant registrar via calling switchboard on (03) 8345 1333. We strongly encourage GPs who are referring patients to ED to call the ED first and speak to the Admitting Officer[HI1] (Footscray: (03) 8345 6393, Sunshine: (03) 8345 1596). The Admitting Officer can then provide advice regarding the appropriate referral for the patient. 

All cancer patients are welcome to attend SHRTC upon referral from their general practitioner or specialist. All new patient referrals are reviewed and triaged within 48 hours by a tumour stream specialist, who will determine the most appropriate clinical team to assess the patient's needs.

Please ensure the following relevant investigations are included in the referral: pathology reports, operative notes, diagnostic imaging and reports.

Referrals may be addressed to the SHRTC site director (below), or to the appropriate tumour stream specialist. Please include your name and provider number.

Site Director: Dr. Phillip Tran
Telephone: +61 (03) 8395 9999
Facsimile: +61 (03) 8395 9950

Go to www.petermac.org and click 'refer a patient' for further referral information.

If you have questions about a referral or current patient care with the Cancer Services Department at Western Health, please contact:

Western Health holds regular Multidisciplinary Meetings (MDMs) where patients with a newly diagnosed cancer are discussed, as well as existing patients who require a review of their treatment plan.

Western Health conducts 8 Multidisciplinary Team Meetings:

Western Health Cancer Services has developed evidenced-based recommendations about vaccinations for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Patients can request this information via a standardised letter to be passed on their GP.
Please contact the patient's treating clinician at Western Health if further information is required.

Click here to see a comprehensive list resources for referrers, patients and carers.