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Prepare your referral letter

Include a brief clinical summary: presenting complaint, symptom duration, relevant examination findings, current medications, and any investigations already performed (bloods, imaging, biopsies). A clear working diagnosis or differential is helpful but not required.

Submit to Groote Schuur Outpatients

Referral letters should be faxed or sent to the Groote Schuur Hospital Outpatient Department, addressed to the Division of Rheumatology. Urgent referrals requiring prioritisation should be indicated clearly and a call to our department is encouraged to discuss triage.

Fax: +27 (0)21 404 xxxx  |  Tel (urgent): +27 (0)21 404 7647

Triage and appointment booking

All referrals are triaged by a member of the division. Urgent cases — such as suspected vasculitis, acute inflammatory arthritis, or connective tissue disease with organ involvement — will be prioritised. Routine appointments are scheduled based on clinical need and availability.

Communication back to the referring clinician

Following assessment, a clinical letter will be sent to the referring clinician detailing findings, diagnosis, management plan, and any ongoing shared-care arrangements. We are committed to supporting the referring team as a partner in your patient's ongoing care.