Tasmanian eReferral System

More information about referrals to Specialist Outpatient Services at the Tasmanian Health Service can be found here.

Named referrals in eReferral: what GPs need to know

A named referral is a referral addressed to a specific specialist or consultant within the Tasmanian Health Service (THS). Using eReferral (HealthLink SmartForms), GPs can either select a named specialist where clinically appropriate or select “Specialist – unnamed referral” when referral to the specialty or service is required but no specific specialist is being requested.

Do I need to name a specialist?

Not always.

A named referral may be appropriate when:

• the patient is already known to a specialist or consultant
• there is an existing episode of care or follow-up relationship
• the GP has a clinical reason for requesting a particular specialist
• continuity of communication between the GP and specialist would support patient care
• the referral relates to a specialist’s known area of clinical expertise

If there is no clinical reason to request a specific specialist, GPs can continue to submit an unnamed referral by selecting “Specialist – unnamed referral”.

Does a named referral guarantee the patient will see that specialist?

No.

A named referral tells THS who the referral is addressed to, but it does not guarantee that the patient will be seen by that specific specialist.

All referrals are still reviewed through standard THS triage processes. A named referral may be allocated to the named specialist, or it may be redirected to another specialist within the same specialty depending on:

• clinical urgency
• service capacity
• location
• specialist availability
• clinical appropriateness
• local outpatient service arrangements

THS operates a clinical need model, which means patients are prioritised and allocated to care based on urgency and clinical suitability.

What does this mean for the patient?

A named referral may support continuity of care, particularly where the patient is already known to a specialist or where there is a clear clinical reason for requesting that specialist.

However, patients should be advised that:

• naming a specialist does not guarantee they will see that specialist
• their referral will still be triaged according to clinical need
• they may be seen by another appropriate clinician within the same specialty
• they can still access care as a public patient where eligible

Where relevant, a named referral may also support the patient’s ability to choose to be treated as a public or private patient in a public hospital outpatient setting.

What are the benefits for GPs?

Named referrals can help GPs:

• support continuity of care with known specialists
• direct referrals where there is an existing clinical relationship
• improve continuity of communication between primary care and specialist services
• make the intended referral pathway clearer
• reduce ambiguity where the referral is linked to previous specialist advice, review or follow-up

The key point is that named referrals should be used where they add clinical value, not simply as an administrative default.

What has changed in eReferral?

The specialist name field has been updated to make it easier to select from available specialists by specialty and location.

This is intended to provide a more user-friendly referral experience and reduce uncertainty when completing the referral.

If a named referral is not required, GPs can still choose:

Specialist – unnamed referral

This keeps the option of an unnamed referral available.

How are named referrals managed by THS?

Named referrals are reviewed through the same triage process as other referrals.

After review, the referral may be:

• accepted under the named specialist
• allocated to another specialist in the same specialty
• redirected according to local service arrangements
• prioritised according to clinical urgency
• returned or queried if further information is required

This means the quality and completeness of the clinical information in the referral remains more important than the specialist name alone.

What should I tell patients?

Suggested wording:

“I can address this referral to a specific specialist where there is a reason to do so, but the hospital will still triage the referral. You may not necessarily see that specialist, as appointments are allocated based on urgency, availability and the most appropriate clinician.”

And where no named specialist is required:

“I’m referring you to the specialty/service rather than to a particular specialist. The hospital will triage the referral and allocate you to the appropriate clinician.”

Legislative and administrative context

Under the National Health Reform Agreement 2026–2031, public hospital outpatient arrangements include requirements relating to referrals to named medical specialists where a patient chooses to be treated as a private patient. The Australian Government’s Federal Financial Relations site publishes the NHRA 2026–2031 consolidated addendum and related schedules.

New Services (effective 1 July 2026)

Southern Area Primary Health Service:

• Bruny Island Community Nursing Service
• Eastern Shore Community Nursing Service
• Glamorgan Spring Bay Community Nursing Service
• Hobart Community Nursing Service
• Huon Community Nursing Service
• Kingston Community Nursing Service
• New Norfolk Community Nursing Service
• Care@Home – Virtual Multidisciplinary Outreach Service (Statewide)
• Care@Home – CardiHab (Statewide)
• Care@Home – Post COVID Navigation Service (Statewide)*

*Note: This service will be removed as it is being amalgamated into other Care@Home services

Launceston General Hospital:

• Rheumatology

Minor service structural changes for the following services:

Endocrinology and Diabetes Services:

• Diabetes Services – Adult
• Endocrinology – Adult
• Endocrinology (Statewide) – Paediatrics

General Surgery – North Region:

• Breast / Endocrine
• Colorectal
• Upper GI / HPB
• General Surgery – Other

General Surgery – North West Region:

• Breast / Endocrine
• Colorectal
• Upper GI / HPB
• General Surgery – Other (North West only)

General Surgery – South Region:

• Breast / Endocrine
• Colorectal
• Upper GI / HPB
• General Surgery – Other

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery:

• Plastic and Reconstructive surgery Adult
• Plastic and Reconstructive surgery Paediatrics

Tasmanian Clinical Genetics Service (Statewide):

• Clinical Genetics Service Adult
• Clinical Genetics Service Paediatrics

As part of HealthLink’s commitment to continual improvement of our service, systems, and environments, they will be conducting planned maintenance. Please take note of the following details:

Maintenance Window Details:

• Start Time: 8:00 PM AEDT, Tuesday, 28th April 2026
• End Time: 12:00 AM AEDT, Wednesday, 29th April 2026
• Duration: Approximately 4 hours

Services Affected:

• HealthLink Secure Messaging
• HealthLink SmartForms
• MyHealthLink Portal
• RMSLite

Services Unaffected:

• Server Hosting

Changes will be active as of 14/01/26

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program changes are now live for GPs to access within the Respiratory Medicine Statewide Referral Criteria.

The NLCSP changes can be found within the below reasons for referral:

1. Lung Cancer for referrals for patients with Positive National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) result classified as high risk or very high risk as per the Nodule Management Protocol, requiring respiratory review and
2. Respiratory (undifferentiated)/Other respiratory medicine non SRC condition for any incidental NLSCP findings that require respiratory physician review.

Additional required referral Information :

All the same except for additions of point 7 and 8 – link out to Tas HealthPathways Lung Cancer Screening page.

Essential referral Information for imaging and Investigations/Other:

Respiratory (undifferentiated) reason for referral:

Additional required referral information

Added link to Tas HealthPathways page point 7.

Essential referral information addition of NLCSP CT report if relevant.

More information on the National Lung Cancer Screening Program:

Tasmanian Department of Health

Tasmanian HealthPathways

Why This Matters

Key Enhancements

1. Expanded Social History Field

• The Social History section now supports up to 4,500 characters (previously 180), allowing clinicians to provide richer patient context.

2. Improved Medication Display

• Medication details are now clearer and more clinically accurate:
  • Includes active ingredients, brand name, strength, and form (where supported by PMS).
  • PMS-specific improvements:
    • MedicalDirector Clinical: Strength added (requires July 2025 MD Ref update).
    • Bp Premier: Active ingredients displayed.
    • Communicare: Medication form (e.g., tablet, drops) shown.
• Removed unused Dose and Units columns to reduce confusion; instructions now show prescribed dose and units.

3. Dates for Medical Conditions

• Replaced unused “Code” column with Date, improving clinical relevance.
• For integrated PMS users, dates of onset for current conditions will auto-populate (except Shexie).

New Form Development Features

• Better handling of special characters in forms.
• Ability to make Measurements table mandatory.
• Hyperlinks in guidance pop-ups for quick access to resources.
• Customizable text fields and text areas with defined sizes.

Download the Full Update

Want to Share Feedback?

You may have noticed that “Fracture Clinic” is not an option within the Orthopaedic Reasons for Referral.

The decision was made to simplify the referral criteria by anatomical region.

For example, click on either the upper limb trauma, hand trauma or lower limb trauma reasons for referral. It then lists the various fracture options. Please see example below.

Join us for an information session tailored for Optometrists to explore the benefits and practicalities of using eReferrals. As the largest referring allied health profession into the Tasmanian Health Service, Optometrists play a key role in the success of this digital transformation.

The information session will provide a comprehensive overview of the eReferral system. It will explain the role of HealthLink and how Optometrists can set up an account, and what having an account entails. We will demonstrate how to send an eReferral to the Ophthalmology Dept at the Royal Hobart Hospital (the only Ophthalmology Dept in Tas). We will also demonstrate how to send eReferrals to GPs, Allied Health and Private Specialists. We will show where to go for how-to resources and provide contact details for further support. There will be opportunities for the Optometrists to ask questions.

Learning outcomes:

• Provide an overview of the Tasmanian eReferral System.
• Explain how to set up a HealthLink account.
• Demonstrate how to send and receive eReferrals.
• Explain where to go for support.

Tuesday 16 September - 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Online via Zoom

Watch the recording - eReferral for Optometry Information Session | PHT Online Learning Hub

Password: phtlearning

Additional Statewide Referral Criteria (SRC) forms implemented for the below services:

• Wound Management (LGH, RHH, North Community)
• Urology (LGH, MCH, RHH)
• Neurology (LGH, NWRH, RHH)
• Renal Medicine / Nephrology (LGH, MCH, NWRH, RHH)
• Paediatric Surgery (RHH)
• Audiology (State-wide) (RHH)
• Community Nursing (North and North West Community)
• ComRRS (North and North West Community)

New service selection (not SRC):

• Pain Management Service (LGH)
• Paediatric Neurodevelopment and Behavioural (LGH, NWRH, RHH)
• Diabetes Nurse Education (LGH)

Attn: GPs

You may notice two non-mandatory fields located in the ‘Requested Information’ section across all paediatric-related HealthLink SmartForms.

In addition to the pre-populated Next of Kin field, the form now includes space to document:

• Primary Carer/Support Person
• Legal Guardian

These fields have been introduced to support child safety and care coordination. In some situations, the person recorded as next of kin may not be the child’s primary carer or their legal guardian. For example, a child might live with a grandparent, foster carer, or other support person who plays a central role in their life and care.

While these fields are optional, we encourage you to complete them when relevant to help ensure the right people are engaged in the child’s healthcare journey.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to safe and effective paediatric care.