The Adult Urology Referral Access Criteria (RAC) was implemented on 1 November 2021 and applies to all referrals for public adult Urology outpatient services in WA. The RAC are available via the WA Department of Health Referral Access Criteria webpage.
The RAC are standardised referral criteria that provide guidance around:
- What conditions will be seen in a public outpatient specialty (and what is excluded)
- What investigations are required to be included with referrals to ensure effective and appropriate triage
- Indicative triage categories to assist you in discussing potential wait times with your patient.
The Central Referral Service will ensure that all mandatory information as outlined in the RAC has been provided before allocating the referral to the appropriate hospital. Clinical triage will remain the responsibility of the receiving hospital.
The RAC project is part of a series of wider Outpatient Reform initiatives being led by the Department of Health WA to improve access to services and streamline the outpatient journey for patients.
Providing the required information as outlined in the RAC will ensure your referral is processed in a timely, consistent manner, and that the patient’s first appointment will be as meaningful as possible.
The Adult Urology RAC was the first RAC to be developed and implemented. The RACs for Neurology, ENT and Direct Access Gastro-intestinal Endoscopy will be published in May, followed by Ophthalmology and Plastic Surgery.
Further information, including a series of FAQs, is available on the WA Department of Health Referral Access Criteria webpage or for specific questions email the project team at DOHSpecialistRAC@health.wa.gov.au.