Australia RACGP Standards for After-hours and Medical Deputising Services (5th edition) AHS1.7: Engaging with other services: the service engages other health services when urgently required, its practitioners' referral letters are legible and complete, and the regular GP or practice is told of any referral made

What does AHS1.7 require?

The service knows how to reach the services its patients may need urgently, such as ambulance, emergency departments, mental health crisis teams, palliative care and community nursing, and works with them. Referral letters, whether electronic or printed, are legible and contain the patient's identifiers, the reason for referral and the question asked, relevant history, examination and results, current medicines and allergies, and the referring practitioner's details. Every referral is included in the report to the regular practice so the GP can coordinate what follows.