Updates to the THS Service List in HealthLink
The Tasmanian Department of Health is expanding the list of services available for referral via HealthLink Smart Forms from Wednesday 25 September 2024.
Included in this release are three new referable services:
- Haematology (Benign and Malignant) at the Mersey Community Hospital;
- Heart Failure Advice Only Request at the Royal Hobart Hospital; and
- Request for review of Surgical decision at all acute facilities.
A full, updated service list is available in the panel to the right.
About the Heart Failure Advice Only Request
As part of Tasmania’s Digital Health Transformation Program 2022-2032, the Royal Hobart Hospital is trialing a new feature within the HealthLink Smart Form system.
What is it?
A new category ‘Heart Failure Advice Only Request’ will appear under Cardiology Services.
This feature will allow GPs in the south of the state to seek written advice on appropriate, non-urgent patients with heart failure.
For example, you may wish to seek:
- advice regarding diagnosis and/or clarification regarding a heart failure patient’s investigation results,
- advice on a heart failure treatment plan and/or the ongoing management of a patient with heart failure,
- guidance on when to refer a patient with heart failure or determining the most suitable alternative care pathway.
How will it work?
Your request for heart failure advice must:
- be submitted via the HealthLink system,
- contain sufficient clinical information as outlined in the Heart Failure Statewide Referral Criteria for a written response to be provided,
- include the question you would like answered.
What can you expect?
A written response via HealthLink to your Best Practice inbox/Medical Director Holding file within 2-3 business days.
If the Cardiologist determines that they would like to see the patient in the outpatient clinic – the referral will be forwarded to appointment scheduling, and you will be notified of this outcome.
Why is this being trialed?
Through this innovative feature you will be able to obtain the specialist advice you need to continue managing your heart failure patients in the community.
For all urgent enquiries please continue to call the on-call Cardiologist or Registrar via RHH switch 6166 8308.
Minor Service List Updates
There have also been some minor service list structural changes for usability improvements, including the creation of a Gastroenterology Services selection and ability to direct a referral directly to:
- Gastroenterology (General/Clinics)
- Gastroenterology (Endoscopy)
- Hepatology
Similarly, a Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Services selection, which gives you the ability to direct a referral to:
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Respiratory Medicine
- Sleep Medicine
A number of other services will also now be grouped together under relevant headings, such as Ambulatory Care Centre Services, Ophthalmology Services, Paediatric Services, Neurosurgery Services (Statewide), Neurology Services, Gynaecology Services, Immunology and Allergy Services, and Cardiology Services.
As always, if you have any questions or require training to use HealthLink, please contact Primary Health Tasmania Provider Support at providersupport@primaryhealthtas.com.au.
