In July, new state-wide referral criteria were launched for selected gastroenterology and ophthalmology conditions.
The ACI's Ellen Rawstron, Executive Director of PRISM (Preserving and Restoring Interventions in Surgery and Medicine) is an executive sponsor of the project to develop these important clinical decision support tools. "The new criteria will support patients and the health professionals looking after them to make a referral, and assist NSW public specialist outpatient services with screening and triaging these referrals,” she says.
The program aims to provide consistent referral criteria for outpatient services across the state. This will benefit patients, clinicians and the health system in the following ways:
- Clearer expectations of clinical and referral requirements
- Improved quality and appropriateness of referrals
- Reduced clinical variation with referral acceptance and triage practices
- Patients are referred and prioritised in a safe and timely way.
Development and implementation
The NSW Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Agency for Clinical Innovation, is coordinating the development and implementation of state-wide referral criteria for NSW public specialist outpatient services. New referral criteria for 10 ophthalmology and seven gastroenterology conditions were prioritised as these specialties have a high volume of activity across NSW public specialist outpatient services.
Ophthalmology Network Manager Kerrie Martin and Gastroenterology Network Manager Monica Tamas joined the respective clinical advisory groups, along with clinicians, general practitioners and local health district and speciality health network representatives from across New South Wales.
“Each CAG worked together to determine priority conditions, which conditions are considered an emergency, and recommended timeframes to be seen, seeking feedback through our networks and the system,” explains Kerrie. “The criteria are designed to make it easier for referrers as well as the public outpatient services, reduce the need for back-and-forth requests for further details, and ultimately integrate with e-referral systems for both GPs and optometrists.”
The ACI has also supported a change working group and clinical working group as part of the implementation. “These have been great platforms to consider the nuances of practical local application and adaptation,” says Monica.
Now the criteria are live, the ACI’s Clinical Implementation Team is assisting with the rollout.
“We’re working with the 15 local health districts and specialty health networks involved in the first stage, and supporting them to engage with their own stakeholders, too,” explains Implementation Officer Gail Del Olmo. This includes running information sessions for staff working in outpatient services, as well as sessions tailored to referrers, including general practitioners, optometrists and orthoptists.”
What’s next?
Following this first release, state-wide referral criteria are being developed for additional conditions within ophthalmology and gastroenterology, including paediatric criteria. The first releases for ear nose and throat and orthopaedics will be available in mid-2024.
“The project has been a wonderful collaboration, and we look forward to developing additional state-wide referral criteria to benefit other clinical areas,” says Ellen.
Learn more about state-wide referral criteria.