Assessment for recurrent tonsillitis

Specialty: ENT
Age group: Children

Criteria for referral to public hospital service

• Chronic or recurrent infection with fever or malaise and decreased oral intake and any of the following:
  • absent from school or work for four or more weeks in a year
  • at least 7 episodes in the past year
  • at least 5 episodes each year in the last 2 years
  • at least 3 episodes each year in the last 3 years
• Suspicious unilateral tonsillar solid mass with or without ear pain.

Information to be included in the referral

Information that must be provided

• Reason for referral and expectation or outcome, anticipated by the patient, or their carer, and the referring clinician from referral to the health service
• Physical examination
• Details of onset, duration and frequency of infections
• Any history of febrile convulsions or hospital admissions for tonsillitis
• The functional or psychological impact on quality of life or activities of daily living including impact on school, study, or social activities
• Details of previous management including the course of treatment(s) and outcome of treatment(s).

Provide if available

• Statement about the patient’s interest in having surgical treatment if that is a possible intervention
• If the child identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• If the child is neurodiverse, gender diverse or has a disability
• If the child lives in out-of-home care (foster care, kinship care, permanent care or residential care)
• If the child has a preferred language other than English and if they rely on cultural or linguistic support (e.g. Aboriginal cultural support, an interpreter)
• If the child is aged 14-18 years, do they consent that their health information is shared with their parent, guardian or carer.

Additional comments

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

Note: there are also statewide referral criteria for Sleep disordered breathing.

The referral should note if the request is for a second or subsequent opinion as requests for a second opinion will usually not be accepted.

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.