Neurology

General Neurology

Dr Amy Halliday

Dr Andrew Duncan

Dr Sam Law

Stroke

A/Prof Lauren Sanders

Dr Jimmy Lu

Dr Oshi Swarup

Dr Rebecca Trethowan

Send referrals to SVHM Specialist Clinics, Attention: Neurology. Please note that the waiting time for a routine appointment may exceed 12 months.

Elderly patients with dementia should be referred to Community Clinics, CDAMS Clinic.

GPs can refer directly for nerve conduction studies by downloading this form.

• Neurophysiology Referral Form

Referral Forms and Guidelines

• Referral Templates and Pre-Referral Guidelines
• Please read the Specialist Clinics headache referral guidelines in conjunction with statewide referral criteria

Referral Criteria

Headache

Patients will only be accepted for review if they have atypical headaches requiring further investigation. Patients with migraine will be accepted if they have failed adequate trials (minimum 2–3 months at therapeutic dose) of three migraine prophylactic agents in the community.

Tremor

Patients with tremor that interferes with activities such as writing and holding utensils, with no features of parkinsonism, particularly if long-standing, improves with alcohol, and with a positive family history, is usually essential tremor. Patients with features consistent with essential tremor will only be accepted if they have had an unsuccessful trial of propranolol.

Functional Neurological Disorders (FND)

These patients are best supported by a multidisciplinary FND service, which is not currently available at SVHM. Referrers may wish to consider referral to dedicated FND clinics, including those available at The Austin and privately at Epworth.

Dizziness and Vertigo

Patients with dizziness and vertigo are best referred to the Balance Disorders and Ataxia Service at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, where appropriate diagnostic equipment and allied health expertise are available to support assessment and ongoing management.

Neuro-ophthalmology, including idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Patients with neuro-ophthalmological conditions, particularly where OCT and visual field testing are important for diagnosis and management, are best referred to the neuro-ophthalmology Service at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, where the appropriate diagnostic equipment is available to support assessment and monitoring.

Department of Health's Statewide Referral Criteria

Please refer to the Neurology Statewide Referral Criteria for the below conditions: 

• Epilepsy and seizures
• Headache
• Motor weakness or paraesthesia
• Movement disorders and dystonia
• Stroke or transient ischaemic attack
• Vertigo

We do not provide treatment for the following:

• Chronic pain
• Back pain
• Psychological conditions
• Drug addiction
• Dementia in the elderly

Seven Common Neurological Conditions

The Neurology & Neurosciences team at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, led by Professor Mark Cook, have created a video guide for GPs about the 7 common neurological conditions:

1. Radiculopathy (Prof. Mark Cook) 
2. Back Pain (Assoc. Prof. Michael Murphy) 
3. Epilepsy (Assoc. Prof. Wendyl D'Souza) 
4. Transient Ischaemic Attack (Dr Lauren Sanders) 
5. Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (Dr Jordan Kamel) 
6. Multiple Sclerosis (Dr Neil Shuey) 
7. Benign Proxysmal Positional Vertigo (Dr David Szmulewicz) 

Simply join or login to praxhub to watch GPs Guide on 7 Neurological Conditions to earn 3 x RACGP QI&CPD (Category 2) Points.

Tuesday PM

Patient Enquiries:

Tel: (03) 9231 3475

GP Enquiries:

Tel: (03) 9231 2898
Monday to Thursday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Friday: 8:30am to 4:00pm, or please leave a message
Fax referrals: (03) 9231 3489
Email: GP.Referrals@svha.org.au

Case Coordinator Nurse:

Tel: (03) 9231 3687

Referral Officer: 

Tel: (03) 9231 3316