Referrals

Patient Eligibility Guidelines

At Aurora Medical, we follow evidence-based criteria to guide appropriate use of pharmacotherapy for obesity. Below is a summary of key eligibility considerations for patients being referred for weight-loss medication.

When to Consider Medication

Medication may be appropriate when:

• A patient has a BMI ≥ 30, or
• A patient has a BMI ≥ 27 and at least one weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea or insulin resistance.

Importantly, weight-loss medication is not a standalone first-line therapy. Lifestyle intervention remains the foundation of obesity management.

Additionally, treatment guidelines recommend that when lifestyle changes alone do not yield sufficient weight loss or improvement in comorbidities, clinicians should consider both pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery.

For bariatric surgery, an indication may include:

• Individuals with BMI ≥ 35, or
• Individuals with BMI 30-34.9 who have not achieved durable weight loss or comorbidity improvement through non-surgical methods.

In summary, medication can be considered when lifestyle interventions alone are insufficient, and it should be integrated into a broader management plan that may include surgery, depending on the patient’s individual profile and goals.

What Treatment Involves

Once lifestyle change alone is insufficient to achieve meaningful health improvement, medication may be added. Key points:

• Medicines act on hormonal pathways (for example GLP-1) to reduce hunger, increase satiety, and assist metabolic control.
• Treatment should be considered long-term. Studies show that when therapy is stopped, weight regain is common. 

Patient Assessment Requirements

Prior to prescribing weight-loss medications, consider:

• Full medical history, including weight history and comorbid conditions
• Assessment of lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, sleep, stress)
• Referral GP and specialist coordination for shared care
• Discussion of realistic expectations for weight loss, safety profile, and follow-up plans

Shared-Care Model with GPs

We believe optimal outcomes are achieved via collaboration between Aurora Medical and the referring GP:

• Patient remains under primary care for routine monitoring
• Our team provides specialist input on medication initiation, titration and review
• Feedback is sent after each consultation to ensure continuity of care

How to Refer

For GPs

Aurora Medical partners with GPs to provide evidence-based medical weight management and continuity of care.
Referring doctors receive written updates after each consultation, including progress, medication adjustments, and treatment recommendations.

• Email: admin@aurorabariatrics.com.au
• Fax: (08) 6478 7632
• HealthLink ID: AURORABA
• Online Referrals: Please upload your referral below and we will contact your patient directly.

Please include a recent health summary, medication list, and relevant pathology or imaging (if available).

For Patients

You don’t need a referral to see one of our specialists.
At Aurora Medical, we welcome self-referrals for adults seeking medical support with weight management or metabolic health.

If you’d like to book directly with one of our doctors or nurse practitioners, simply enter your details below and a member of our team will contact you to arrange your appointment.

Start your referral today — your path to better health begins here.