Adelaide PHN Central Referral Unit Processing Time Update
Tuesday, July 28 2020
Adelaide PHN's Central Referral Unit (CRU) clinically triages referrals for primary mental health care services across the Adelaide region. This centralised single point of entry allows easy access to a wide range of services commissioned across the stepped care continuum.
Since COVID-19 related restrictions have eased in South Australia, mental health services across the state are experiencing a higher demand than normal. Whilst the CRU is committed to providing a service in the most-timely way as possible (operating a key performance indicator of processing referrals within a 24 hour timeframe), the increased demand has lead to a temporary increase in the processing time for referrals.
In line with best practice in such situations, the most urgent referrals are being processed by the CRU as a matter of priority. This means that people who present with an increased risk of suicide are being prioritised first. The number of individuals who are identified as being at increased risk of suicide has increased since before the
COVID-19 pandemic and associated living restrictions.
Those prioritised next are people who fall into Adelaide PHN's priority groups, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- people from CALD backgrounds
- people in the perinatal period
- people who identify as LGBTIQA+
- children and youth
- people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness
Referred individuals who don't fall into any of the above categories will be processed as soon as possible, but there may be a temporary increase in referral processing time as those who are in high need are given priority of access.
Adelaide PHN would like to thank you for your patience as we respond to this increased demand for services and work towards a return to our usual expeditious service delivery.
Adelaide PHN's Cental Referral Unit (CRU)
For enquiries:
Mental Health Enquiry Phone Line: 1300 898 213
(9.00am - 5.00pm Mon - Fri, excl public holidays)
To make a referral:
Secure Messaging: ReferralNet or Argus
Name: Central Referral Unit
URN: refnet:CRU
To provide feedback about the service:
Contact Adelaide PHN's Mental Health and AOD Integration Coordinator, Kelly Stewart, at: kstewart@adelaidephn.com.au
Please note: Fax referrals are currently being phased out. Referrers needing support with a CRU referral can call the Mental Health Enquiry Phone Line. For support with setting up practice software in relation to using secure messaging, please contact an Adelaide PHN digital health officer via digitalhealthinfo@adelaidephn.com.au.