Information for Referring Health Professionals

A Referral written by a referring doctor is an important communication document.

An initial referral guides the cardiologist as to what your concerns are so those issues can be dealt with initially.

For subsequent consultations the referral not only serves an administrative purpose, it also provides the cardiologist/ physician with up to date information with respect to recent investigations, other procedures or illnesses the patient may have had, and importantly the current medications the patient is on. With respect to the last point, more often than not,  the patient’s medication list is significantly different to what is present on a referral letter that is a few months old.

HeartWest understands that the “referral request” can be burdensome and we apologise for this. However, it is in the best interest of the patient.

As HeartWest has grown so too has its services with ready access to subspeciality cardiologists (heart failure, electrophysiology) respiratory, nephrology, general physician colleagues and others.

Sometimes, a referral will be made between specialists (However this referral lasts for only 3 months). If you are satisfied that the patient requires further review then an ongoing referral will be required.

E – RFERRALS PREFERRED:

We encourage our referring doctors to use secure electronic messaging services.

Heartwest can be reached using  Argus, Healthlink and Referralnet

• Argus ID : 597793@argus.net.au
• Healthlink ID: heartwes   ( that’s right, without the t)
• Referralnet ID: heartwest

We can also receive referrals via email on referrals@heartwest.com.au

Of course, for backwards compatibility, referrals can be faxed through on 03 8721 0889