New lung nodule and lung cancer screening referral pathway at the Royal Melbourne Hospital

A new lung nodule referral pathway is available for health care providers and patients through the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH).

The pilot referral pathway is part of a research project aiming to streamline health care provider and patient access to specialist clinics for assessment, investigation, diagnosis and management of:

• incidentally detected lung nodules
• screening detected lung nodules
• screening detected actionable respiratory additional findings.

With the roll-out of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) in Australia, the project facilitates safe and timely access to care and information by providing additional clinical services and support for primary health care providers and patients.

For healthcare providers and patients, it provides:

• a new clinic for screen detected nodules and screen detected actionable respiratory additional findings
• a new clinic for incidentally detected lung nodules
• nurse contact with patient within three business days of accepted referral.

To make a referral through the new pathway

Patients will receive care through the new RMH lung nodule and lung cancer screening clinics.

1. Health care providers must provide patients with a copy of the Patient Opt-Out Information Sheet. Patients must be given the opportunity to opt-out if they would prefer not to take part in the research project.
2. Complete the RMH referral form or referral letter
3. Send your referral to RMHlungnoduleandscreeningreferrals@mh.org.au and include:
   1. completed referral form
   2. confirmation patient has received the study Patient Opt-Out Information Sheet
   3. patient preference for telehealth or in-person review
   4. completed imaging reports with location of scans

If a patient opts-out of the new pathway

Patients will receive care through the existing RMH lung nodule clinic.

1. Have the patient sign the ‘Opt-Out’ section on the Patient Opt-Out Information Sheet
2. Refer through the existing RMH Respiratory Medicine referral pathway
3. Include the completed RMH referral form and a copy of the completed Patient Opt-Out Information Sheet.

If you have questions about the project, referrals, or would like non-urgent clinical advice, please contact our Lung Nodule Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) on 0455 409 806 or RMHlungnoduleandscreeningreferrals@mh.org.au

You can also visit our website.

This referral pathway will be piloted until May 2026 and is funded by the Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund and the Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation.

Disclaimer: This article was provided by The Royal Melbourne Hospital. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.