HIQA still seeking input on new referral template (IMT)

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is still seeking feedback on the draft template and dataset for primary care patient referrals.

The template, entitled ‘Standardising Patient Referral Information: a Draft National Template for Consultation’, was published before Christmas and is now available for consultation to the public, healthcare professionals and hospital managers onwww.hiqa.ie.

Following this consultation, the feedback will be used to form the final dataset and primary care patient referral template. The closing date for comments is Friday, January 21.

The draft national template provides national guidelines on information to be included in patient referrals from primary care to acute hospital services.

Following disclosures about the backlog of unreported radiology examinations and unprocessed GP patient referral letters at AMNCH Tallaght, the Authority announced it would undertake a national review of the patient referral process between GPs and hospitals, in collaboration with the ICGP.

Prof Jane Grimson, Director of Health Information with HIQA, said: “During the course of the review, it became clear that there’s no consistency at a national level, either in terms of the method of referral or the information provided. Furthermore, it emerged that the content, quality and quantity of the information is not consistent.

“By adhering to national guidelines regarding information in the GP referral, service providers can improve the safety of care given to their patients.”