Information for health professionals on the Outpatient Redesign Project
Information on each of the major projects underway as part of the Outpatient Redesign Workstream:
Clinical Prioritisation Criteria (CPC)
CPC will assist health professionals in accessing information related to the minimum required referral information for a range of clinical conditions. Clinical Prioritisation Criteria have been implemented with great success in many states across Australia.
GP engagement is vital for the successful development and implementation of the CPC.
For further information on the CPC, see the Clinical Prioritisation Criteria web page.
Clinical Review
Clinical Review will ensure that SA Health Specialist Outpatient waiting lists are up to date and accurate in order to facilitate access to outpatient services. The clinical review aims to determine if patients waiting over 1 year still require a Specialist Outpatient appointment, and if the original referral information is still clinically relevant.
Local Health Networks (LHNs) are writing to patients who have been waiting for greater than one year. Patients are being asked to visit their GP for a review within 30 days. The patient’s nominated GP will also receive a letter to inform them the patient has been contacted. GPs are asked to re-assess the patient’s condition and consider the most appropriate care options available.
Clinical acceptance criteria
Refer to LHN Outpatients web pages for further information regarding Specialist Outpatients Departments clinical acceptance criteria. HealthPathways SA provides additional clinical support and guidance on appropriate care options. If you require advice on Specialist Outpatient Department Services, please contact the LHN GP Liaison.
When a Specialist Outpatient appointment is still required
If you determine that a Specialist Outpatient appointment is still required, please send an updated referral with current clinical information (including any prerequisite diagnostics tests). All referrals undergo rigorous triage by a senior clinician. Referrals should include as much relevant clinical information as possible to help determine whether your patient fits the current acceptance criteria. Specialist Outpatients Departments receive a greater number of referrals than can be appointed. In some cases, the clinic may advise that a referral is not accepted and that your patient has not been offered an appointment.
e-Referrals/ Secure Messaging
Electronic referrals (e-Referrals) will assist in streamlining the exchange of information between GPs and hospital clinicians. This will enable secure communication using available modern technology.
Benefits
Benefits of the Secure Messaging project:
- Discharge Summaries sent complete to providers
- specialist letters sent to providers electronically
- electronic referrals to SA Health Specialists and Allied Health Providers
- pathology and Imaging requests to be electronic to SA Health
- pathology and Imaging results to be sent electronically.
Policy review
Policy review will ensure the current SA Health Outpatient Policy and associated guidelines are contemporary and support operational improvements.
SystemView
SystemView is a data visualisation program that will assist Local Health Networks (LHNs) to manage referrals, waiting lists, and provide demand and capacity forecasting.
Redesigning Models of Care
Redesigning Models of Care will explore opportunities for services to be provided in primary health and community health care settings.