Refer a patient

Send the discharge summary and imaging with the referral. A rehabilitation physician responds within 48 hours with an assessment of suitability, proposed programme and expected duration. You receive the discharge report and outcome measurements directly unless the patient asks otherwise.

A clinical summary, imaging, operation notes where relevant, current medication, and a statement of the referral question — whether you are asking for an opinion, a programme, or both. The referral question matters more than the volume of documentation.

Where you have a specific rehabilitation goal in mind, say so. It is more useful than a general request for rehabilitation.

A written assessment addressed to you as well as to the patient: what we think is achievable, the proposed programme, the expected duration, and what we would measure. At discharge, a report with the admission and discharge measurements and the ongoing plan.

Reports are written to be usable by a clinician who was not involved, in a language you read.

We will tell you when we think a patient should be reviewed by you, when something we found needs your attention, and when we think a proposed programme should not go ahead.

Referrals are not treated as transfers of care. The patient returns to you, and the report exists to make that handover work.