Huge and unsatisfactory variations in the way patients are referred to hospitals by GPs have been found in an audit by the Health and Information Quality Authority (Hiqa).
The audit arose following disclosures at Tallaght hospital about the backlog of unreported radiology examinations and more than 3,400 unprocessed GP patient referral letters.
Prof Jane Grimson, director of Health Information with Hiqa, said there was no standard means of referral by GPs across the State or standard information in a referral letter.
"This makes it very difficult to track a referral, to be able to say it has been received. Some GPs refer by phone, some by letter, some have different letters for different issues."
The Authority has just published a consultation document, Standardising Patient Referral Information: a Draft National Template for Consultation, to which it is inviting feedback from GPs, hospitals and patients.
Prof Grimson said collecting and sharing accurate, timely patient information was vital in providing the best possible care to patients.
"The development of these guidelines is an important step towards improving the whole patient referral process. It is essential to have accurate, timely, complete and relevant information about patients to enable the delivery of safe, equitable, person-centred care."
A final report containing recommendations and guidance will be published by the end of March.
The draft template is available from www.hiqa.ie and the feedback form can be downlaoded there also. Hiqa can also be contacted at (01) 8147681
