Tasmanians are benefitting from the Government’s nation-leading eReferrals system, with more than 60,000 eReferrals received since it launched 12 months ago.
By replacing the outdated handwritten paper and fax-based system, eReferrals instantly logs the referral with the specialist service or clinic and notifies GPs of receipt, ensuring patients get more timely care and spend less time on waiting lists.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett hailed the strong results and said it was clear our GPs and hospitals are embracing the eReferrals system, to the benefit of Tasmanians across the State.
“These are fantastic results, and means that more Tasmanians can see a specialist and be treated sooner,” the Minister said.
“The system was expanded in early March, with Tasmanian GPs now able to instantly refer patients to 172 specialist services around Tasmania including oral health, physiotherapy, specialist palliative care services, social work, podiatry and many more.
“The eReferral project is a collaborative partnership between Primary Health Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government and is part of the $476 million 10-year Digital Health Transformation, which is delivering a new state-wide fully integrated care platform.
“Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future we are determined to see better efficiency in our healthcare system, and the Digital Health Transformation will be vitally important in achieving this goal.”
Initiatives delivered by our 10-year Digital Health Transformation so far includes:
- Free public Wi-Fi – now available at Tasmania’s main hospitals and regional clinics including Flinders Island, to help visitors and patients stay connected with family and friends during their stay.
- Best Possible Medication History – reduces administrative duplication for medication history in Emergency Departments.
- External Correspondence – allows clinicians to correspond with 100+ interstate hospitals and clinics digitally rather than through paper-based processes.
- HEART Discharge Summary Reporting Dashboard – improves discharge management.
- EndoVault upgrade – helps manage daily patient appointments, procedure reporting, and surgical image storage.
- Correctional Primary Health and Forensic Mental Health – improved access to patient information across services and easier communication statewide as clinicians are all using the same system.
- Going Home Plan – provides an individualised plan to help for stroke patients transition from Hospital to home.
- Did Not Attend Campaign – this awareness campaign addresses the 55,000 missed outpatient appointments last year. Underlining the need to attend appointments, or let the Department know, so we can reallocate to the next person inline – If you can’t make it, let someone else take it!
