Steps in processing referrals
Step 1 - Screening
- Referrals for all sites are received by the Access Team.
If faxing is not an option for your clinic, or you have problems with faxed referrals not being received, please seek an alternative method by emailing: gp.liaison@thewomens.org.au
Step 2 – Triage and Clinical Prioritisation
- Referral information is screened / triaged against state referral criteria and local health service acceptance criteria
- Patients requiring an urgent consultation will be seen within 30 calendar days
- Patients requiring a routine consultation will be seen at the next available non-urgent appointment or placed on a waiting list
The referral will not be accepted if:
- The woman has a hospital closer to her home address that can meet her health care needs. If this is the case, we will contact the referring doctor and ask then to redirect the referral.
- A referral does not include the required clinical and contact information for triage. If this is the case, we will contact the referring doctor to request the necessary information. If the requested information is not provided within 30 days, the referral will not be processed, and the woman will not receive an appointment.
- The referral indicates that the woman can be managed in a general practice setting according to HealthPathways Melbourne
Step 3 – Appointment/ Waitlist Notification
- Patients will receive a letter by post of their appointment details, or if they have been placed on a waiting list.
- GPs will be notified if their referral has been accepted or declined by letter / fax.
Due to technological issues, referrals faxed by GPs are occasionally not received. If you are a GP and do not receive a letter that your referral has been accepted/declined, please contact the Access Centre (GP use only) on (03) 8345 2058 (option 2).
We ask women to continue to see their GP while waiting for their appointment.
If your patient develops new or worsening symptoms and you are concerned that the appointment is not timely for her needs, please resend the referral clearly stating the reasons and relevant updated investigations in order to expedite the appointment.