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GP liaison with hospitals

A GP and primary care liaison team serves as a vital link between hospitals and community-based GPs and primary care.

Their primary responsibility is to facilitate effective communication and collaboration between the hospital, GPs and primary health networks. They are the main point of contact for GPs and primary care and can help connect their patients with appropriate services. They are crucial in a health system that strives for better integration and continuity of care, and seamless information exchange.

Their responsibilities include:

  • enhancing service accessibility and managing hospital demand by creating referral guidelines including for HealthPathways Melbourne
  • advocating for primary care within their health care services, including managing and responding to feedback from local general practices
  • organising and supporting continuous professional development opportunities for GPs and primary care
  • contributing to the development and execution of shared care programs between GPs, primary care and hospital-based clinicians (for example: shared maternity care or shared care for people with complex chronic conditions)
  • assisting in the design and implementation of eHealth initiatives, such as eReferral and telehealth.

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network supports primary care liaison units by:

  • planning and co-delivering education sessions for GPs, practice nurses, allied health and other primary care providers
  • sharing updates and messages from their health services with primary care providers
  • seeking their guidance to update and share HealthPathways Melbourne clinical and referral information.

E-referral status for hospitals in the NWMPHN region

Hospital Accepts referrals via secure messaging? Current referral pathway E-referral implementation status Referral information link
Mercy Health Yes – via HealthLink Referrals accepted via HealthLink Completed Referral instructions and templates – Mercy Health Services
Northern Hospital Yes – via HealthLink Referrals accepted via HealthLink Completed Referrals and Specialists Clinics – Northern Health
Alfred Hospital Yes – via Consultmed Referrals accepted via Consultmed Completed eReferrals | Bayside Health (Alfred)
Austin Hospital No Referrals accepted via fax or email In progress Austin Health: GP & Hospital Primary Care Liaison Unit
Epworth Hospital No Referrals accepted via fax or email

 

 In progress Refer your patient – Epworth HealthCare
Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital No Referrals accepted via fax or email In progress Referrals – The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
The Royal Children’s hospital No Referrals accepted via fax or email Part of Parkville eReferral project. HealthLink anticipated from March 2027. Specialist Clinics : Referring clinician information
The Royal Melbourne Hospital No Referrals accepted via fax or email Part of Parkville eReferral project. HealthLink anticipated from March 2027. Referrals | The RMH
The Royal Women’s Hospital No Referrals accepted via fax or email Part of Parkville eReferral project. HealthLink anticipated from March 2027. Referrals | The Royal Women’s Hospital
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre No Referrals accepted via fax or email Part of Parkville eReferral project. HealthLink anticipated from March 2027. Refer a patient – Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
St Vincent’s Hospital No Referrals accepted via fax, email and phone In progress Referral Templates and Pre-Referral Guidelines – St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne
Western Health No Referrals accepted via fax or email In progress How to refer | Western Health

GP liaison public hospital units in our region