“This system will streamline how we share responsibilities for the care of patients with GPs,” Claire Bridgman, Operations Manager with the RNSH Ambulatory Care Centre (ACC), said.
“We can receive about 100 referrals a day and with our growing population, there is a need to do things faster and more efficiently.”
Work is continuing to rollout HealthLink to all outpatient services across RNSH and other hospitals in the district over the coming years, with the next release scheduled to include Women’s Health Services including Maternity and Gynaecology.
“It makes the administrative side of things so much easier from both GP and patient perspective and reduces the risk of errors,” Dr Luke Morphett, GP Liaison Officer with the RNSH ACC and a GP in the district, said. “We need to use technology where and how we can if it has real benefits for patients and this is another step in the right direction.”
The system, which is free for GPs to access and send referrals, is a precursor to a statewide e-referral management system that is planned for launch next year.
GPs not yet signed up should check that their practice is HealthLink enabled and SmartForms activated. They should contact HealthLink on 1300 145 456 (option 4) or email register@healthlink.net to register.