Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology

Referrals

We accept GP and specialist referrals:

• Use the RMH referral form or a template from your own system
• Complete and fax your referral to Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 4234

We do not accept email referrals.

What to include in your referral

As outlined by the Department of Health, referral requests should include:

• Patient demographic information
• Referrer demographic information
• Reason for referral
• Presenting problem
• Service(s) requested
• Required referral information specified by statewide or local referral criteria
• Current patient management
• Impact of the problem on the patient
• Name of the consultant and provider number (for Medicare clinics)
• Investigation reports related to the referral

Urgent and after-hours support

Referrals are triaged based on priority. In an emergency, patients can go to the Emergency & Trauma Service at any time.

For advice, urgent referrals and out of hours support, call The RMH Switchboard on (03) 9342 7000 to page our registrar on call.

Clinical overview

The program collaborates broadly with prominent academic centres nationally and internationally, including:

• University of Calgary
• Karolinska Institute
• Cambridge University
• Charles University in Prague
• Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Montreal
• Neurological Institute-Hospital
• Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Outpatient services

The Neuroimmunology clinics are dedicated to the assessment and long-term management of people with a possible or definite diagnosis of MS and other neuroimmunological conditions, including neuromyelitis optica, neurosarcoidosis, autoimmune encephalitis, cerebral vasculitis and myasthenia gravis.

The Neuroimmunology Clinical Trials clinic provides follow-up and treatment for patients who are participating in clinical trials, with the capacity to accommodate specific trial protocols.

The Neuroimmunology clinics see approximately 1,300 patients with MS and neuroimmunological conditions and is staffed by nine neurologists with subspecialty training in MS and neuroimmunology.

The centre provides a multidisciplinary approach through specialist MS nurses, neuropsychologists, a social worker (in collaboration with MS Australia), and rehabilitation physicians (in collaboration with the RMH Department of Rehabilitation). We collaborate closely with continence physicians at the RMH Royal Park.

Inpatient services

If required, patients with MS and neuroimmunological conditions are admitted to the Neurology ward at the RMH for diagnosis and management under the care of specialist neurologists and with input from the RMH Neuroimmunology Centre staff.

Day Medical Centre

The RMH Neuroimmunology Centre works in close collaboration with the Day Medical Centre at the RMH Parkville.

Infusion therapies are administered to patients with MS and neuroimmunological conditions who require these therapies as part of their management. Patients are briefly reviewed by medical staff before their infusion of immunotherapy to optimise safety of the procedure.