New Service at prince of Wales – Rapid Access Cardiac Clinic

The Prince of Wales Hospital (POWH) Rapid Access Cardiac Clinic (RACC) is a medically led outpatient clinic located in the Community Assessment Unit (CAU), which provides timely access to high-quality cardiology care for low to intermediate risk cardiac patients. The primary objective of the clinic is to reduce unnecessary admissions to the Emergency Department (ED) and provide an accelerated pathway for cardiac patients amenable to outpatient care.

For all new referrals to the CAU Rapid Access Cardiac Clinic, the preferred method is to be submitted electronically via HealthLink. Service can be found under SESLHD > Cardiology > CAU Rapid Access Cardiac clinic.

Patient Cohort

The RACC service has been implemented to accommodate low to intermediate risk cardiac patients with the following conditions:

• Undifferentiated chest pain without high-risk features.
• New or recurrent atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and/or palpitations without significant haemodynamic compromise
• Heart failure without haemodynamic compromise or an oxygen requirement
• New or recurrent syncope without high-risk features 

All other cardiac patients should be sent directly to the ED for immediate management.

Within this patient cohort, the following inclusion and exclusion criteria exists:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 16+
• Resides within the SESLHD catchment area or known to/discussed with a POWH cardiologist

Exclusion Criteria:

• Aged care facility resident
• Existing cardiology appointment within 7 days
• Moderate to severe breathlessness at rest
• Any chest pain with high-risk features
• Febrile illness
• Acute behavioural disturbance

Clinic Logistics

Business hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm

Direct contact number: 0499421734 (during business hours)

After hours process: Contact on-call Cardiologist/AT via POWH Switchboard

RACC Fax: (02) 9382 9633

How do I use electronic referrals? 

If you use HealthLink practice software, you have access to eReferrals

Video user guides for launching and completing eReferrals can be found here: 

Best Practice: https://vimeo.com/clanwilliamhealth/healthlink-smartforms-bestpractice 

Medical Director: https://vimeo.com/clanwilliamhealth/healthlink-smartforms-medicaldirector 

Genie: https://vimeo.com/clanwilliamhealth/healthlink-smartforms-genie 

Referrers who do not access these systems can access eReferrals via the MyHealthLink portal. A HealthLink account is required. 

HealthLink Portal: MyHealthLink Portal – HealthLink 

Who do I contact? 

Further details can be found on the SESLHD eReferrals website:  

https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/services-clinics/directory/electronic-referrals