Referral Access Criteria (RAC) are now in place for public adult ophthalmology outpatient services in WA.
Referrers are required to meet the RAC when referring through Central Referral Service for adult ophthalmology outpatient services.
As of Monday 24 April 2023, referrals not meeting RAC or missing mandatory information, will be returned to the referrer with advice on what information is required for successful submission. Patients will not be provided with an appointment or placed on a waitlist until a completed referral consistent with the RAC is received.
Patients who require immediate review (within 7 days) are not to be referred via CRS and should be discussed directly with the appropriate hospital. Referrals from optometrists and referrals to WA Country Health Service should also continue to be sent directly to the specific hospital site.
All other adult ophthalmology outpatient service referrals from GPs to metropolitan public hospitals should continue to be submitted via CRS.
The CRS will ensure all mandatory information has been provided, as per the RAC, prior to the referral being allocated to the appropriate hospital. Clinical triage is then the responsibility of the receiving hospital.
Specialties with RAC implemented include:
- Urology
- Neurology
- ENT (adult & paediatric)
- Direct access gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Ophthalmology (Mandatory from 24 April 2023)
For any questions, please email DOHSpecialistRAC@health.wa.gov.au
More information is available on WA Department of Health RAC webpage