Surgical referrals (adult) CUH



Surgical Assessment Unit: 08:00 - 17:00 (last referral 15:00)

Patient Inclusion Criteria – to be seen in SAU if space available

  • Patients ≥16 years of age
  • Patient must be stable (NEWS < 4)
  • Pain score < 5/10
  • Able to walk to SAU

Not suitable for SAU

  • Surgical patients needing resuscitation or NEWS ≥ 4
  • Trauma (Orthopaedic/Plastic)
  • Non-surgical patients (Gynaecological, Medical)
  • Urology patients (CDU)
  • AAA or vascular emergency patients
  • Elderly / Frail
  • Infection control issues - D±V in last 48 hours, MRSA/VRE, COVID

SAU Referral process

  • Clinical referral from EM Senior Decision Maker
  • ALL investigations to be completed in the SAU

Surgical Review in ED: 15:00 - 06:00 (06:00 - 08:00 urgent referrals)

  • Referral from EM clinical team
  • All non-radiological investigations to be completed in the ED

Standard Referral process for both pathways

  • Surgical Registrar on-call, VPN 67639
  • If unavailable – Surgical SHO, VPN 62362

Agreed pathway


Wound referrals CUH

The surgical specialties in CUH have confirmed that wound referrals will be accepted as agreed below:

  • Facial wounds or burns = plastic surgery
  • Limb injuries = plastics (with below considerations)
  • Neck = ENT via CUH general surgeons (± angio)
  • Trunk = General or Thoracic surgery (depending on location)

Content by Dr Íomhar O' Sullivan. Last review Dr ÍOS 4/10/22.