Clackmannanshire Council Online

Referral Process

Referral Process

Establishment of a Single Referral Pathway

The single referral pathway manages all referrals for adult mental health services provided by the Integrated Mental Health Service and other partners within the NHS and the Third Sector.

The key objectives of the Single Referral Pathway are:

• Reduction in waiting times
• Improved access to services
• Ensuring the most appropriate service is accessed at the earliest opportunity
• Promoting the principles of social inclusion
• Effective utilisation of all available resources

These services include:

Psychiatric Provision

• Outpatients
• Mental Health Resource Centre

Mental Health Provision

• Community Access Team
• Counselling

The Benefits

By working in partnership we can share information and resources to provide co-ordinated mental health services to meet the needs of people in Clackmannanshire.

The single referral pathway ensures that all mental health referrals are directed to one point. This means that a decision can be made quickly to make sure the person being referred goes directly to the correct team. As a result of working together we are able to avoid duplication, provide a wider choice and see people quicker.

How does the Single Referral Pathway work?

Referrals are processed through the single referral pathway as follows:

• Referring Agent makes a referral to the single referral pathway.
• The referring agent decides if a service is required from the psychiatric or mental health branch and also the timeframes required (one week for urgent referrals, 6 weeks for routine referrals, 8 weeks for routine outpatient referrals).
• An information sharing leaflet and a letter is sent to the individual being referred.
• Referrals are discussed at weekly referral meetings and allocated to the team most appropriate to meet the individual's needs.
• Where necessary, a joint assessment will be carried out to ensure individual needs are met.
• If a referral is mistakenly directed to the wrong provision, a referral process is in place to transfer the referral from one provision to another with minimal disruption and loss of time.

How to make a referral

If you feel someone would benefit from these teams, a referral can be made by a GP, Social Worker or other mental health professional that the individual is in contact with.

Referrals from GPs can be made through the Electronic Referral System. All other referrals can be made via our Single Referral Pathway by completing our standard Referral Form and sending it to:

• SRP Administrator
  Mental Health Resource Centre
  Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre
  Hallpark Road
  Sauchie
  FK10 3JQ
  Tel: 01259 290343

What Happens Next?

Once a referral is allocated to a team, the individual will be contacted to attend an appointment to carry out an assessment of needs, discuss options available and agree the best way forward.