Department of Health

Referral delivery pathway

Key messages

  • The referral pathway encompasses reception, triage, intake, treatment and care, and discharge.

The referral pathway encompasses reception, triage, intake, treatment and care, and discharge.

Reception

This is a non-clinical stage that includes the collection of basic contact details and referral to the most appropriate triage clinician (or case manager for known clients).

If the person needs further assessment, they pass on to triage.

Triage

This is the first clinical stage. It includes a triage assessment and a record of contact.

If the person is assessed as not needing specialist mental health services, they are given information and referred to appropriate services such as a general practitioner, counselling agency, private psychiatrist or non-government organisation.

Intake

At the intake stage, the person receives an intake assessment to determine the service response and is then registered.

If the person does not progress to the treatment and care stage, they are given information and referral as for the triage stage.

Treatment and care

This stage involves clinical assessment, treatment planning, implementation, monitoring and review, discharge planning and case closure.

Discharge

Once a person is assessed as no longer needing public specialist mental health services, they are discharged.

A discharge plan can include referral to a general practitioner, private psychiatrist or non-government organisation.

This plan contains information on when and how to reconnect with mental health services.

Reviewed 29 May 2015

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