Loraine Evans, a Practice Nurse at Pebble Beach Medical Centre in Queensland, has used e-Referrals since they first became available to refer patients to My Aged Care. Loraine says she saves around 15 minutes per referral compared to her previous referral method. She recommends other practices make the switch to e-Referrals as they are so easy to complete with minimal time spent on them.

How long have you been using My Aged Care e-Referrals?

Since as soon as they became available.

How did you previously send referrals to My Aged Care

Make a referral form on the My Aged Care website.

What do you like most about My Aged Care e-Referrals?

Instant feedback if not completed properly.

How much time do you think you save per referral by using My Aged Care e-Referrals compared to your previous referral methods?

15 minutes.

How do My Aged Care e-Referrals benefit patients?

Lodged immediately.

Would you recommend My Aged Care e-Referrals to other practices? Why?

They are so easy to complete with minimum time spent on them.

How easy was it to learn to use e-Referrals?

Very easy as there are prompts to remind you to check.

Which Practice Management System do you use?

Best Practice

Emma Zanker, a Practice Nurse Coordinator at Goydersline Medical Practice in South Australia, now regularly uses e-Referrals to refer patients to My Aged Care for an assessment. Emma recommends other practices try My Aged Care e-Referrals, as it’s a very easy system to use and she now saves around 20 minutes per referral compared to her previous referral method. The referral can be done straight away during a consultation, and the process gets started, it benefits the patient greatly.

How long have you been using My Aged Care e-Referrals?

Six months

How did you previously send referrals to My Aged Care

Make a referral form on the My Aged Care website

What do you like most about My Aged Care e-Referrals?

It is a very easy referral process. I don’t have to go out of the patient’s notes to make the referral, as I used to do this on the My Aged Care website. It prepopulates with a lot of patient data, so I only have to do the questions that are needed for the patient’s care. I also like how a record of the referral is put into the patient’s notes, so staff no longer have to scan a printed copy in. It is a very seamless process.

How much time do you think you save per referral by using My Aged Care e-Referrals compared to your previous referral methods?

20 minutes.

How do My Aged Care e-Referrals benefit patients?

As the process is very easy and accessible to Practice Nurses and Doctors when the patient is with them it can be done straight away and therefore the referral process gets started for the patient to have assessments/services organised for them. It benefits the patient greatly.

Would you recommend My Aged Care e-Referrals to other practices? Why?

I would recommend this to other practices as it is a very easy referral system to use and it has cut down the amount of time spent on making referrals and improves patient care. I also like how there is a record of this automatically put into the patient’s notes so that if needed you can see when the referral has been done.

How easy was it to learn to use e-Referrals?

It was very easy, as it isn’t a long referral system and it helps that it prepopulates patient data so you only need to add in specific information for the referral.

Which Practice Management System do you use?

Best Practice

ADT Security’s NevaAlone Medical Alarm helps users lead a safer and more independent lifestyle.

Produced by ADT Security, the medical alarm features a HELP button that is connected to ADT’s highly trained NevaAlone support team who are available 24/7, 365 days a year should the user need emergency assistance or require an ADT Security Guard to conduct a security check around their property.

eReferrals can be made to NevaAlone Medical Alarms using CareSelect.

ADT Security third party relationship manager Darlene Sanderson says NevaAlone Medical Alarms, which are available nationwide, give peace of mind to users and family members, who can rest assured that help is immediately accessible.

“People who are elderly, live alone, have a medical condition or disability, or are prone to falls will feel so much safer knowing that help is available by simply pressing a button,” Darlene says.

“The alarm can be used 24/7, creating a safety net for users looking to maintain their independence. It also gives family members confidence that their loved ones have help readily available in case of an emergency.”

Help dispatched quickly

The alarm can be worn as a pendant or wristwatch or can be activated by pressing a button on the alarm unit. The alarm signal works via a landline or cellular network and operates within range from anywhere in or around the house.

Once the button is pressed, the person is immediately connected to the ADT call centre, where a trained professional will assess the situation, dispatching help if required. Family members are also notified.

A GPS alarm is a private offering that works when the user leaves the house. If they have a fall while wearing the alarm, the device’s fall detection feature will automatically notify the call centre who can arrange for medical assistance.

“The GPS alarm can not only be used at home, but also when the user is away. For example, if they take the dog for a walk, ADT can locate them if they need assistance.”

Alarms to suit different needs

ADT Security is a Ministry of Social Development (MSD) accredited medical alarm provider. If a person qualifies, the NevaAlone Medical Alarm can be partly or fully funded through the Work and Income (WINZ) Disability Allowance.

A free lock box is installed outside the user’s home so paramedics can enter the house in an emergency; the cost of an ambulance callout is also covered for all users.

Darlene says different alarm products are recommended depending on each person’s personal situation and circumstances.

“ADT undertakes an in-home demonstration and a thorough needs analysis to determine which product is best for each individual.”

Darlene notes that ADT’s trained professionals can even identify if a person is feeling lonely or isolated if they are activating the alarm to simply have a chat with call centre staff.

“Sometimes a user just needs assurance or is looking to talk to someone because they are feeling lonely. If it’s a regular occurrence, we will reach out to local community organisations to see if they can help.”

How to refer to NevaAlone Medical Alarms:

• Open the patient record
• Select the HealthLink icon
• Use the CareSelect search bar, type “NevaAlone Medical Alarms”
• Click “Compose Referral”.

No one should have to leave behind the home they love, their belongings and a lifetime of memories just because they need extra care.

Private Care NZ, part of the New Zealand Health Group, offers a range of 24/7 services nationwide to support anyone with health and wellness needs to affordably stay in their own home for longer.

Private Care NZ can provide home help, palliative care, personal care, medication management, dementia care, respite care, companionship and even postnatal home support for new families.

eReferrals can now be made to Private Care NZ using HealthLink’s CareSelect service, making it easier for GPs to make a referral and for patients to receive the care they need.

New Zealand Health Group Managing Director Josephine Gagan says it’s important people have an option to stay in their own home if they wish to.

“Often, people really love their own home, have lots of special memories and don’t want to move out. Private Care NZ enables them to receive the support they need without having to move into a new and unfamiliar environment,” she says.

“We’ve had families say that they couldn’t have kept their loved ones at home without our extra support.”

High standard of care 

Josephine says Private Care NZ’s carers and registered nurses are all highly trained and can cater to a patient’s specific needs and preferences.

“Because Private Care NZ is part of the largest homecare group, patients can access services that some smaller operators might not have. We can pull in extra resources, and our pool of carers is much larger.”

Being privately funded means there are no long waiting lists. Their team makes every day easier for their patients by focusing on their needs and preferences, adapting to changes, and working closely with families to create a circle of care.

Private Care NZ also sells affordable, high-quality homecare products to make every day easier for people in their own homes.

How to refer to Private Care NZ:  

• open the patient record
• select the HealthLink icon
• use the CareSelect search bar, and type “Private Care NZ”
• click “Compose Referral”.