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The Clinician Initiated Pathway (CIP) has been established to build a community based, consultation pathway from clinicians to NSW Virtual Urgent Care for Children (virtualKIDS) and NSW Virtual Urgent Care for Adults (virtualADULTS). The pathway leverages an online Patient Identification Form and healthdirect Video Call to facilitate timely access to specialist advice. Using the CIP, primary care clinicians can access specialist advice directly, either with the patient present during the consult, or the patient's behalf in the absence of the patient.

Clinicians access the pathway by entering their details, including their AHPRA number into the Patient Identification Form, which will direct them to the NSW Virtual Urgent Care clinics, where their call will be prioritised by Virtual Urgent Care Services (VUCS) staff. By enabling community-based clinicians to consult directly with VUCS clinicians, CIP supports shared, multidisciplinary clinical decision-making and provides an alternative pathway for patients whose conditions can be safely managed without referring to an Emergency Department. This establishes a hybrid model of physical and virtual care where treating clinicians retain responsibility for patient management while receiving specialist support and escalation options, when required. 

Completing and submitting the CIP online form

When a community based clinician with a patient needs a second opinion or other options regarding treatment or referral, the Clinician Initiated Pathway allows them to access multidisciplinary clinical teams.

To access the pathway, the community based clinician opens the online referral form.

At the bottom of the first page, fill in the required information to start the process, including the patient's date of birth, clinician's location and the referrer/practitioner type. Click Next.

The suitability criteria for the pathway to a Video Call displays. Select the applicable option at the bottom of the information. These do not apply takes you through the registration process.

The next page asks for the clinician's information as the referrer.

Next, add the requested mandatory contact details.

Next, add the patient details, including the reason for the presentation and symptoms.

Before the form is submitted, an information page displays. The referring clinician reads the information and has the option to select how they would like to receive the waiting area link for the virtual care service online clinic.

Once the form is complete the confirmation screen displays. The referring clinician can review and edit the information they have provided, then click Submit.

Confirm the submission.

The screen shows the registration has been completed and the online waiting area link will soon be sent.

Receiving the link and accessing the VUCS online waiting area

The information will be sent to the NSW Health Patient Flow Portal, which will initiate the process of the VUCS service receiving the information and the waiting area link being sent. The link will be sent according to the option selected by the referring clinician. When received, click Join online waiting room.

Read the Important Information and click Continue to agree to the information presented.

You are now waiting to be seen in the Virtual Urgent Care clinic. You will be joined when the VUCS clinician is ready and the consultation will begin.