Commonwealth Consolidated Regulations

HEALTH INSURANCE REGULATIONS 2018 - REG 98

  (1)   Subject to subsection   (2), a referral must be:

  (a)   in writing; and

  (b)   signed by the referring practitioner; and

  (c)   dated.

Emergencies

  (2)   Subsection   (1) does not apply if:

  (a)   the referring practitioner decides that it is necessary in the patient's interests for the patient to be referred to the specialist or consultant physician as soon as practicable; and

  (b)   subsection   (3) applies to the patient.

  (3)   This subsection applies to a patient who is:

  (a)   at risk of serious morbidity or mortality requiring urgent assessment and resuscitation; or

  (b)   suffering from suspected acute organ or system failure; or

  (c)   suffering from an illness or injury where the viability or function of a body part or organ is acutely threatened; or

  (d)   suffering from a drug overdose, toxic substance or toxin effect; or

  (e)   experiencing severe psychiatric disturbance which puts the health of the patient or other people at immediate risk; or

  (f)   suffering acute severe pain where the viability or function of a body part or organ is suspected to be acutely threatened; or

  (g)   suffering acute significant haemorrhage requiring urgent assessment and treatment.