We provide comprehensive specialist care to patients with heart failure and cardiomyopathies.
Key points
- Diagnosis and treatment for people with heart failure heart failure and cardiomyopathy
- Our dedicated team of health care professionals includes cardiologists, heart failure nurses and allied health staff
- Our cardiologists have expertise in acute and chronic heart failure, advanced heart failure management, genetic, metabolic and infiltrative cardiomyopathies, and advanced cardiac imaging
What we do
The heart failure service involves both inpatient and outpatient phases of care, with emphasis on continuity of care.
Our aims are to:
- shorten length of stay in hospital
- prevent readmission
- improve quality of life
- reduce morbidity and mortality
We are interested in providing a thorough diagnostic and holistic therapeutic approach.
Clinic availability
- Clinic operates Monday after 12pm and Wednesday after 12pm
- Face-to-face appointments preferred (Telehealth option available)
- Nurse-led clinics to facilitate early and close follow-up as needed
Who can use our service
This service is suitable for patients with:
- a diagnosis of heart failure
- genetically determined cardiomyopathies
We manage patients with cardiac amyloidosis and those who require Mavacamten for symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Due to high demand, our clinic is restricted to those who meet the following referral criteria:
- Heart failure with recent hospitalisation (within 12 months)
- Cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 50% and symptoms of shortness of breath
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction with difficulties in management
- Patients with a genetic variant that causes or puts them at risk for cardiomyopathy, or with a suspected genetic cause for cardiomyopathy
- Patients being considered for Tafamidis or Mavacamten
May be considered
We will accept patients outside the RMH catchment when highly specialised management is required and is not offered by local services.
This clinic is not suitable for people with unspecified shortness of breath.
Referrals
Referral checklist
In addition to the minimum referral information, please include:
- any cardiac investigation results available (ECG, Holter, TTE, stress TTE, coronary angiography, cardiac MRI)
- renal function, HbA1c, Lipid profile, FBE, NT-proBNP
- detailed medication list
How to refer
We accept GP and specialist referrals:
- Use the RMH referral form (PDF) or a template from your own system
- Fax your completed referral to Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 4234
We do not accept email referrals.
HealthPathways Melbourne provides guidance on best practice assessment and management of common medical conditions, including when and where to refer patients.
Parkville Connect is a secure web-based portal providing GPs, specialists and other health professionals with information in the Parkville electronic medical record (EMR).
Urgent or alternative care options
We can arrange urgent inpatient or outpatient assessment if required.
We can also organise telehealth consultations, with a local health practitioner present, if appropriate.
Need to change or cancel your appointment?
Do one of the following:
- Access Health Hub to change the appointment yourself
- Complete our online form and we'll change it for you
- Call Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 7393 and we'll help you over the phone
What to bring
Every time you come
Every time you come in for a test, day procedure, surgery or treatment, you should bring:
- Medicare card
- Health Care card (if you have one)
- Concession card (if you have one)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
- X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
- Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
- Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
For a clinic appointment
If you come for a clinic appointment, you should also bring:
- Your appointment letter
- Any special items listed on your letter
- Your appointment book (if relevant)
- TAC or WorkCover claim number
For a Telehealth appointment
If you are attending a Telehealth appointment, be sure to have your most recent blood pressure, heart rate and weight measurements ready to tell the doctor.
Interpreters and cultural support
We provide qualified, professional interpreters to help you communicate with us at any time during your stay and at your clinic appointments.
- Μάθετε περισότερα γιά διερμηνείς & υποστήριξη κουλτούρας
- Scopri di più sugli interpreti e sul supporto culturale
- Tercümanlar ve kültürel destek hakkında daha fazla bilgi edinmek için
- Tìm hiểu thêm về thông dịch viên và hỗ trợ văn hóa
- 找出更多翻译与文化支持的信息
- لمزيدٍ من المعلومات عن خدمة الترجمة الشفهية والخدمات الثقافية