Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group is conducting a review to ensure timely and appropriate care to those waiting for an outpatient appointment.

The review will:

• ensure that the length of time for patients waiting to be seen is minimised by removing patients who no longer require care from the waitlist.
• ensure patients whose clinical situation has changed are able to receive the most appropriate care at the right time.
• identify patients who still require appointments.

Patients will be asked to update their referral by visiting their GP within six weeks of the date on the letter.

If a patient does not respond to the letter or if no updated referral is received, the original referral will be closed.

The aim of this review is to minimise our patient wait times and enhance the patient journey. We understand this will cause inconvenience for some of our patients and referring clinicians and appreciate the time taken to assist with the review.

General Practitioners who have queries from patients can direct them to the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital website or they can call 6457 1944.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the review happening?

• To ensure patients whose clinical situation has changed are able to receive the most appropriate care at the right time.
• This review will ensure we have an up-to-date record of the patient's medical and medication history to assist in accurate triaging.
• To ensure that the length of time for patients waiting to be seen is minimised.
• To identify patients who still require appointments and enable us to gain insight into our waitlists.

What do I need to do?

• The patient needs to see you for an updated referral within six weeks of the date on the letter.
• If the patient still requires a specialty appointment, please submit an updated referral via the Central Referral Service's standardised referral form templates (external site), including:
  • Reason for referral: updated referral in response to audit.
  • Mandatory referral information as required by Referral Access Criteria (external site).
  • Details about current condition, medication, allergies and other important information that will help with triage and consultation.
  • Updated patient address, email and phone contact details.

What is involved in the review?

• This review is a staged process and will be rolled out across all specialities over the review period.
• This process will ensure triaging and treating specialists have the most relevant and up to date patient information to inform triaging and clinical decisions.
• The patient outpatient referral will be closed if no updated referral is received.
• If an updated referral is received by the hospital within 6 weeks, the patient will retain their place on the current waitlist.

What has the patient been asked to do?

• Patients have been asked to see their GP within six weeks of the date on the letter.
• If a patient does not see a GP and receive a new referral, they have been advised their referral will be closed.

What if someone has received the letter incorrectly?

• We apologise sincerely for any distress our automated distribution method has caused.
• The person does not need to respond to our letter.
• We apologise that our automated letter process may mean they receive a follow up letter from us, please ask them to disregard it.