Eastern Health Specialist Clinics only accept eReferrals (HealthLink Smartforms) for practices with conformant software (Best Practice, Genie, Medical Director, Zedmed, and Shexie).  Referrals sent by fax, email or post are not accepted.

Do not have compatible software (e.g. Helix)?

Practices without conformant software can register for a ‘free’ HealthLink Portal licence by completing the online registration form and notate in the Comments/Message field that you would like to use the SmartForms and select the two checkboxes:

  • Receive Electronic Correspondence – Free
  • SmartForm eReferrals – Free

Once HealthLink receives your completed registration application this will be processed, and portal details will be forwarded to you.

eReferral Support Contact Information

  • If you would like assistance in enabling this technology for your practice or would like additional training, including demonstration, please contact your local Primary Health Network (PHN):
  • For enquiries directly relating to the HealthLink SmartForms or to have this solution enabled within your clinical software system, please contact HealthLink on 1800 125 036 or [email protected].
  • For submitted referral enquiries or appointment enquiries, please contact Specialist Clinics Administration and Booking Team via 1300 342 255.

FAQ and more info:

If your question is still not answered, please contact Specialist Clinics Administration and Booking Team via 1300 342 255 or Eastern Health’s GP Medical Liaison Officer.

Eastern Health Specialist Clinics has now switched to HealthLink SmartForms for receiving referrals from GPs. HealthLink is a secure, safe electronic channel for delivery of identifiable clinical information between healthcare providers. To access a guide, please view the following links:

Statewide Referral Criteria and HealthPathways Melbourne

The statewide referral criteria provide guidance to referring clinicians about which patients will be seen in adult public specialist clinics and what investigations are required to support triage.

If a referral does not contain the minimum required content it will be declined with written notification to the referring health professional.

An incomplete referral missing essential information must be resubmitted in full. Patients will not receive an appointment or be placed on an appropriate waitlist until a complete specialist clinic referral has been received.

The new statewide referral criteria are available across all Victorian HealthPathways websites. If you require login access to HealthPathways, contact [email protected]. Alternatively, the statewide referral criteria can be viewed on the official DHHS website.

Eastern Health receives and manage referrals in line with the Department of Health, Specialist clinics in Victorian public hospitals: Access policy 2013. Access here for more information.

Step 1 – Referral Acknowledgement

  • Referrals for all sites are received by the central Specialist Clinics Referrals and Bookings Management Team
  • eReferrals will receive an immediate confirmation in your clinical software that it has been received

Step 2 – Triage and Clinical Prioritisation

  • Referral information is screened 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

Step 3 – Appointment/ Waitlist Notification/ Declined Referral

  • Patients will receive either a text or letter notification of their appointment details, or if they have been placed on a waiting list or if their referral has been declined.
  • Referring clinicians will receive a letter notification of referral acceptance, or declined notice with information outlining the reason.
  • You will be notified if your referral has been accepted or declined by fax

 *Note: Eastern Health reserves the right, at the discretion of the triaging clinician, to request referral redirection to a closer service if there are other health services who can provide prompt, geographically closer or more appropriate services for the patient. 

 

If your patient’s condition deteriorates, please send an updated referral via HealthLink SmartForms selecting the Referral Continuation “Amended referral/update previously sent referral” with additional clinical information. Emergency cases should be sent to the Emergency Department

 

By preparing your questions

  • The Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare has developed Question Builder in partnership with Healthdirect Australia.
  • This free online tool helps you think about questions you might like to ask your health professional, and to prepare for questions they may ask you during your appointment.
  • https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/question-builder

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