Maxillofacial referrals

To make an urgent referral in hours page the maxillofacial doctor on-call.

The twilight hours between 18.30 and 21.00 is covered either by the OMFS SHO or middle grade on call - they can be contacted via switchboard.

Out of hours (2100 to 0800), it needs the referring care provider to decide whether:

1. the presentation needs immediate referral / admission to the max-fax service, or
2. can be referred for urgent virtual review by email

There isn't a prescriptive list of conditions mandating immediate review or admission

Immediate out-of-hours referrals will be covered by a 1st tier page holder covering a combined surgical rota who can be reached via HAN.

Non-urgent referrals (e.g. seeking a trauma clinic appt or early review) should be referred via email instead to omfstraumareferrals@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk. The max-fax team will triage these patients daily and review by telephone or advise appropriate clinic (Monday or Thursday clinic) or same day review. This system works 24/7.

If a senior opinion is required urgently ie action likely required immediately then a call to the middle grade or consultant as per the escalation policy would be appropriate. It would be helpful if the ED junior asked the advice of the ED senior prior to this route being triggered but appreciate this may not always be possible in extremis.