WA Health is planning to replace its Microsoft SharePoint solution for handling external referrals into its public hospitals with a new solution it is calling Smart Referrals WA (SRWA), which will see general practices, private specialists referring into public outpatient services and Aboriginal Medical Services use a contemporary, automated system.
Referrals to metropolitan WA public hospitals are currently processed by the Central Referral Service (CRS), staffed by nurses and clerical staff. According to WA Health, while electronic referral forms are available through GP practice management systems, only about 26 per cent are sent via secure messaging.
About 50 per cent of referrals submitted to CRS also require remedial action due to missing information, faxed referrals missing pages, referrals not meeting required criteria and even illegible handwriting, WA Health says.
