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Refer a Patient
For Referring Physicians
To which specialty would you like to refer your patient?
Information for physicians about how to refer a patient
A telephone call from a physician is required in order to make a new patient appointment at Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center. During this phone call, the patient's case is discussed to determine how soon the patient should be scheduled for an appointment. This conversation also helps to determine what laboratory tests will be necessary at the time of the visit.
For patients in the Houston area. New patients must have their referring physician contact us at 1-800-226-2379. Once a physician referral is obtained, our Referral Coordinator will call the parent/guardian to arrange their child’s appointment at the appropriate location.
During business hours — Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Referring physicians may call 1-800-226-2379. The Clinic Coordinator will immediately transfer the referring physician to one of our clinic’s attending physicians. For inpatient transfers, the Texas Children’s Transfer Center at 832-824-5550 should be called to initiate the intake process.
During non-business hours, weekends and holidays. For emergencies, physicians are recommended to refer their patient to the nearest Emergency Center for initial stabilization. If an inpatient transfer to our facility is necessary then the Texas Children’s Transfer Center at 832-824-5550 should be called to initiate the intake process.
For patients who reside in the Rio Grande Valley. Physicians may refer a patient to our Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children’s Cancer and Hematology Clinic in McAllen, TX by calling 956-661-9840.
For patients who reside outside of the United States. Appointments for patients from outside the U.S. are made through International Services at Texas Children's Hospital. This office will obtain initial medical information and forward it to one of the physicians at Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center for medical review and acceptance. The International Services Coordinator will work with the family on logistics and appointment scheduling. The phone number for International Services at Texas Children's Hospital is 832-824-1138 or 1-888-240-8244. Toll-free number from Mexico to International Services at Texas Children's Hospital is: 001-866-643-5339. Para mayor información desde México, favor use nuestro numero de teléfono libre de costo: 001-866-643-5339. The Texas Children's Hospital International Services website is texaschildrens.org/international.
For Families
Learning that your child has been referred to a clinic that specializes in cancer and blood disorders can be stressful for any family. At Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center, we focus on making your family's experience as smooth, comfortable and convenient as possible.
First, have your referring physician call us
Our goal is to make your first visit as easy as it possibly can be, which is why we require that all families have their referring physician contact us prior to scheduling a first appointment. We'll connect them to a sub-specialist who is an expert in the condition that your child has been diagnosed with or is suspected of having.
This phone call is very important because it helps us to determine how soon your child needs to be seen, and to make sure that your child will be connected with a physician who has expertise in the areas that are most relevant to the type of treatment or illness that's diagnosed or suspected.
This phone call also helps us to prepare the medical records and laboratory tests that we'll need in order to evaluate your child's condition. The tests that the doctor orders may help us determine the best possible treatment or care options. We may also schedule your child to have specialty laboratory tests or scans on the same day, so that you can spend less time waiting.
Then, we'll call you to schedule a first appointment
Once our pediatric hematologist/oncologist has spoken with your referring doctor, our referral coordinator will call you to schedule your child's first visit to our clinic. Parents may also call our Appointment Desk at 832-822-4240 to speak with our referral coordinator who can help answer any questions you may have about becoming a patient.
In most cases, appointments will be scheduled in The Lester and Sue Smith Outpatient Clinic at Texas Children's Hospital — located in the world-renowned Texas Medical Center and among the nation's top pediatric hospitals.
Some patients may be able to see a physician at our cancer and hematology clinics at Texas Children's Hospital West Campus or Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands.