FRUSTRATED

I was told byt The Northern its a medicare thing, they only recognise indefinite as 3 years & wont pay if a new referral isn't presented...

I recently got an indefinite referral for my oncologist from my GP.  My GP said that indefinite referrals aren't actually indefinite, but last for three years.  But that is still better than constantly having to get new referrals!!

Hi!  I have a dear old friend that went to see a Specialist recently and was told that he needed a new referral.  He had previously had an "indefinite" (funny word in this instance) referral but was told it has been over 12 months since your last visit so it is no longer valid.

I think we need clarity around this.  We all hand over these indefinite referrals to make life easier for ourselves and the staff at the specialists office however the interpretation differs!

As we know when you are in active treatment the last thing you want is to be bogged down with paperwork and having to do return visits unnecessarily.

@melclarity ... I wonder then?? Thats what the Northern Hospital told me when I handed them an indefinite - that it only lasts 3 years.... I guess I will have to wait & see if they ask for a new one in 3 years

Hey! I have to agree wih Socoda, I get indefinite referrals and Ive been doing this 5yrs with no renewal, specifically for ongoing care with my Breast Surgeon and Oncologist. Cheers Melinda xo

@socoda indefinite only lasts 3 years so the wording indefinite is silly...... they whole system needs a bloody good overhall...........

Hey ladies, just in regard to referrals, my oncologist told me I will need a new referral to see her for my next appointment and she told me to ask for an indefinite referral so I don't have to keep chasing it up - so must be able to do it  :) 

Oh I so agree about the referrals  - and the prescriptions! I am on some medications for life, and think I am old enough to manage it all by my myself. Pet peeve is chemists who ask if you are happy on the medication. I appreciate it's largely conversational chit chat, but you do wonder what they plan to do if someone says they're not. Recommend something else?

@Di_BCNA

For psychologists you usually have a mental health plan through the GP ..slightly different, and it gives you 10 sessions.. ..separate from the  GP management plan. So you can have both.

Hi,  When I had radiation I was offered physio, OT, dietitian, social worker etc by the nurse the first time I went.  I did see the social worker (I had non breast cancer problems) and she put me onto community services for someone who does things like domestic help, help taking me shopping etc.  The companies who do these sorts of things often have waiting lists and don't always have the resources to help, but they are there for those in need.

I'd suggest if you need domestic help talk to a social worker.