Referral information for Rotorua and Taupo Hospitals

Īnformation for patient referrals to Rotorua and Taupō Hospitals

Emergency admission to hospital

For emergencies, phone 111 and ask for ambulance

Acute admission to hospital

Phone the hospital  (07 348 1199) and ask to speak to the on-call doctor in that specialty.

Write a referral letter for the patient to take to the Emergency Department, covering the following minimum requirements:

  • History of acute problem
  • Relevant past medical and surgical history
  • Current medications including dosage and frequency
  • Known allergies
  • Social or cultural issues
  • Examination findings
  • Relevant investigation finding

Clearly identify the surgery and doctor you are working for so correspondence can be returned to the correct GP.

The patient should be directed to the Emergency Department.

The Rotorua Hospital emergency department entrance is on the ground floor via the main entrance.

The Taupō Hospital emergency department is on the left side of the main building and sign-posted.

On discharge, the GP shall be sent a full discharge summary.

Acute cover:

  • General surgery – on call consultant and registrar
  • Orthopaedics – on call consultant and surgical or orthopaedic registrar
  • ENT – on call consultant only (sometimes out of town cover)
  • Ophthalmology – on call consultant (sometimes out of town cover)
  • Urology - on call consultant (sometimes out of town cover)
  • Obstetrics and gynaecology – on call consultant and senior house officer
  • Paediatrics - on call consultant and senior house officer
  • General medicine - on call consultant and registrar
  • Psychiatry - on call consultant and sometimes a registrar
  • Non-urgent referrals

Address your referral to the Outpatient Clinic – not a named consultant.

This is essential to ensure letters are received by the outpatient booking clerk and not delivered to a private office.

Referrals can be sent by email to outpatients@lakesdhb.govt.nz

Referrals should contain the following information:

  • Provisional diagnosis or presenting problem
  • History
  • Severity and duration
  • Degree of pain or functional impairment
  • Cultural, disability or language barriers
  • Clinical finds and investigation results, including tests done
  • Current medications
  • Allergies
  • Expected outcome of the referral ie advice, specialist approved investigation or surgery etc.
  • Has the patient seen a particular specialist in the past, if so, when

Referrals should be considered along with GP referral guidelines.

Clearly identify the surgery and doctor you are working for so correspondence can be returned to the correct GP.

Waiting times are variable. The urgency of a referral depends on the clinical information contained in your letter.

The better your information, the more timely the service your patient will receive.

Information for patients on elective services.

For Health Professionals