Psychiatry Specialist Referral Process

1. In order to see a specialist AND claim a percentage of the billing fee through Medicare, a current GP referral is mandatory. Please note, that private health insurance does not cover appointments with ANY specialist, outside of the hospital.
2. Most GP referrals last 12-months. It is your responsibility to see your GP and maintain an updated referral.
   We do endeavour to let you know if your referral is out-of-date, but at times this can be overlooked.
3. Our practice uses Medical-Objects as our preferred encrypted communication platform.
4. Ask your GP to securely SEND your Referral Letter to Dr Lindsay Martin via Medical Objects.
5. Alternatively, your GP can EMAIL your Referral Letter via referrals@4evermc.com.au.
   Please remember to include NEW GP REFERRAL in the subject line to enhance visibility.
   For security purposes, please consider protecting your referral with a PIN NUMBER when sending via email.
   You can advise our reception of the PIN by phone or SMS messaging.
6. New Referrals are appraised at the end of each week and your referring GP will receive a referral acceptance letter.
7. If your GP has not received a referral receipt within 14-days, we have not received your referral and ask your GP to kindly RESEND.
8. Please be mindful, that Dr Martin may not be the most appropriate specialist for your needs; and under these circumstances, she will advise your GP to this effect and make recommendations as to more appropriate options.
9. If your referral is accepted, you will be contacted directly to arrange the earliest appointment.
10. Please note that we will send an SMS message to your mobile phone if you miss our calls, advising of receipt of the referral and a tentative booking time.
11. To hasten the process please ensure the following is included in your referral letter:
    • • • Mobile Phone Number
        • Email Address
        • Medicare Card Number
12. We offer both in-person AND telehealth services.
13. We do not offer bulk billing services.
14. We do offer the option of a PAYMENT PLAN through PAYRIGHT payright.com.au

Additional Information

Due to the changing climate AND demand for specialist assessments, we will give preference to all Item 291 referrals.

Item 291 appointment: entails a single 2–3-hour appointment where Dr Martin undertakes a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment, discusses holistic treatment recommendations and provides access to her extensive psychoeducation portfolio. She will subsequently furnish your GP with a specialist report that will enable your GP to:

• • • To COMMENCE your treatment of choice, PLUS,
    • INSTRUCTIONS regarding provision of intensive monitoring and titration of any medications, to achieve your optimal individualized dosing regimen.

The 291 report is designed to enable your GP to provide all the management you should require going forward. Additionally, item 291 allows your GP to seek a secondary consultation liaison with Dr Martin on your behalf, bulk-billed under your Medicare number. Under Item 291, a subsequent specialist review can be sought at 6 months and again, at 12 months without compromising the integrity of the item number.

Item 296 appointment: entails either one or sometimes two x 2-hour appointments where Dr Martin undertakes a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment, discusses holistic treatment recommendations, and provides access to her extensive psychoeducation portfolio.
Upon completion of this assessment, Dr Martin will provide between 2-6 short telehealth appointments of continuing care, before discharge back to your GP with your comprehensive diagnostic report and prescribing letter, to enable continued management.

 Prior to your appointment

1. A pre-assessment screening package has been designed to both consolidate the assessment process, provide a functional assessment, AND gather data upon which we can monitor treatment effectiveness.
2. Please note, that refusal to complete or failure to complete will result in your appointment being rescheduled.
3. Importantly, YOUR email address is necessary to facilitate delivery of the pre-assessment paperwork.
4. If you are a PREVIOUS patient of Dr Martin; you will need to obtain your medical record from Clifton Beach Medical & Surgical. A consent form can be downloaded via our website. Please submit this completed form to Clifton Beach Medical, there is a small fee. We will subsequently be notified when your record is ready for transfer.
5. Due to the extended waiting list to see a psychiatrist; it may be beneficial to see a psychologist and commence therapy. If this is evident AND you are not already linked in, Dr Martin may consult with your GP and suggest a therapist in the interim.
6. Dr Martin relies heavily on My Health Record to obtain medical history AND communicate with other medical professionals. Please ensure you are registered PRIOR to your appointment.
   • • • You can register for a My Health Record online: DigitalHealth.gov.au/set-up-your-record-online
       • OR by phoning the My Health Record Help line on 1800 723 471
7. Please endeavour to locate any school reports, psychometric assessments, or correspondence from any other specialist[s] involved in your care. Please bring it with you to your appointment.
8. Please bring a Health Summary, as this is often omitted from referral letters.

4everMIND CONSULTING does NOT provide an ACUTE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE.

FOR ALL ACUTE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS PLEASE CALL:

1. 1. 1. QLD on 1300 MH CALL (1300 642255)
      2. Health Direct Australia on 1800 022 222
      3. OR in any emergency call 000

**Please note that Dr Martin’s practice is solely out-patient based and that she neither endorses nor treats patients at either The Cairns Hospital or The Cairns Clinic (private facility).