Pathology referrals policy
Direct answer
HerDoc pathology referrals are based on GP assessment. Testing is not automatic, may not be needed, and results may require follow-up, in-person care, urgent care, or another pathway depending on the clinical situation.
Assessment before referral
A pathology referral should be linked to a clinical question. The GP considers symptoms, history, previous results, medicines, risk factors, and whether testing is likely to change the care plan.
Testing is not automatic. The GP may decide that no test is needed, that a different test is more appropriate, or that in-person examination should happen first.
Result follow-up
Pathology results need interpretation in context. Follow-up may occur through HerDoc or another care pathway depending on the result, urgency, patient location, and whether local or in-person review is needed.
Patients should not assume that a test result alone provides a diagnosis or complete plan.
Abnormal or urgent results
Abnormal results may require repeat testing, treatment discussion, referral, urgent care, or in-person review. Some symptoms or results should not wait for routine telehealth follow-up.
External fees and provider limits
Consult pricing starts from $40 AUD. Pathology collection, laboratory, imaging, specialist, and other external provider fees may be separate. Local provider availability and billing can vary.
Referral limits
HerDoc does not frame pathology as automatic screening or a shortcut to diagnosis. Referrals depend on clinical assessment, safety, and whether there is a clear plan for follow-up.
When telehealth may not be suitable
- automatic or screening-only requests without a clinical question
- urgent symptoms needing same-day care
- abnormal results needing immediate local assessment
- requests where examination is needed before testing
When to seek urgent care
Call 000 or go to an emergency department for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or dangerous symptoms, including chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, severe bleeding, severe pain, suicidal thoughts, or immediate danger.
- automatic or screening-only requests without a clinical question
- urgent symptoms needing same-day care
- abnormal results needing immediate local assessment
- requests where examination is needed before testing
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Related pages
FAQs
Are pathology referrals guaranteed?
No. A GP may provide a referral where clinically appropriate, but testing is not automatic.
Why might a GP decide not to order a test?
Testing may not be useful, may not change management, may need examination first, or may require another care pathway.
How are results followed up?
The GP may discuss the result pathway during the consult. Follow-up depends on the test, result, urgency, and whether local care is needed.
What if a result is abnormal?
Abnormal results may require follow-up, urgent care, in-person review, referral, or repeat testing depending on the situation.
Are pathology fees included?
Pathology collection, laboratory, imaging, and other external provider fees may be separate from the HerDoc consult fee.
Can hormone tests diagnose menopause?
Hormone tests are not automatically needed for every menopause question and need clinical interpretation in context.
Can I request a specific test?
You can ask about a test, but the GP decides whether it is clinically appropriate after assessment.