Summary
Date: 17 December 2021
The RACGP has provided a response to the Australian Government Department of Health Mental Health Initial Assessment and Referral Project consultation. The response highlights that patients and their carers/guardians’ choices and preferences must form part of the decision-making process rather than depending on the outcome of a numerical assessment, and that the use of the assessment tool should not be a mandatory requirement for accepting patients into a mental health service. If standard referral letters and forms provide adequate information, then the patient should be accepted based on this information.