Find the answers to commonly asked questions about referring to our specialist clinics.
How will I be notified about the outcome of a referral?
Patients and the referring GP will receive a letter advising the outcome of the referral. If Monash Health has a patient’s email address, the letter will be sent to the patient by email. Most communication to GPs and patients is by post.
How long should I expect to wait to hear about the outcome of a referral?
We strive to let you know the outcome of a referral within 8 business days of receipt. Delays in triaging can sometimes impact this timeframe.
With notification to patients and GPs primarily by post, this can add to the time it takes to receive notification of an outcome, noting that it can take up to 2 weeks for a letter to be received in the post.
How do I amend a referral?
A GP or specialist may need to provide updated clinical information regarding a patient who is already being treated at Monash Health, or for whom a referral has been accepted. This may include recent pathology or imaging reports, specialist reports, or updates on a patient’s condition.
These clinical documents can be provided to Monash Health using the HealthLink SmartForm Amended referral/update previously sent referral in the section Referral Continuation.
If I refer to the incorrect service, will the referral be redirected?
When the referral is reviewed in triage, it will be redirected internally if there is a more appropriate specialist service. That service will triage the referral and communicate the outcome.
Can I include two or more conditions on one referral?
A referral can only be allocated to one specialist service. If your patient requires two specialist reviews, please submit a referral for each condition.
What conditions can I refer for, and what information is required for a complete referral?
Each specialist unit has published referral guidelines. These guidelines detail the conditions for which referrals are accepted, and what clinical information is required for a referral to be appropriately triaged.
Referral guidelines for all Monash Health specialist units can be found on this page.