Central Intake

What is Central Intake?

Intake refers to the way we bring you the client into contact with Numurkah District Health Service Community Health Centre. Central Intake is an access and referral management service provided to consumers/carers/patients with a single point of entry to those programs within the scope of Community Health as well as facilitating navigation of the broader community service system.

Central Intake Background

Numurkah District Health Service Community Health Centre has commenced a central intake process to facilitate better outcomes for clients. The Intake Team has reviewed and evaluated current systems, to determine the best way to achieve a single point of entry to services provided by Community Health which is streamlined and timely for our clients and referral sources. We aim to achieve this by implementing Service Coordination.

The Victoria Statewide Service Coordination Model practices and standards are consistent with Australian Standards, Quality Improvement Programs and Quality Improvement Council. Service Coordination places the client at the centre of services delivery, it ensures clients have access to the services they need, opportunity for early intervention, health promotion and improved health care outcomes.

Referrals to Community Health

Referrals can be made to Community Health Service by the following:-

  • Other departments of Numurkah District Health Service
  • General Practitioner
  • External Service Provider
  • Welfare
  • Schools
  • Other Support Services
  • Self
  • Or Family/Significant

Current Community Health Services using Central Intake :-

  • Diabetes Educator
  • Dietition
  • Community Midwife
  • Counselling/Social Support
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Psychologist (youth)

Central Intake will not apply to

  • Drug and Alchohol Counsellor contact via GVCHS
  • Moira Palliative Care
  • Moira Shire Youth Worker
  • Private Podiatry
  • Private Physiotherapy
  • District Nursing

What to Expect once Referral is Recieved by Community Health Central Intake

Initial Contactwill be made within one working day of referral being recieved by Community Health Intake Team.

Eligibility is assessed by the Intake Coordinator

Priority is determined using Standard Department of Health Prioritising Tool.

Initial Needs Indentification (INI) The INI process ensures clients have access to the service/s they need, have opportunity for early intervention, improved health care outcomes and access to health promotion. The INI is a pocess of enquiry and screening to determine presenting and underlying issues are identified, it entails a series of assessment questions to assist in identifying clients needs. The INI is conducted within seven days for all Low/Routine Referrals and within two working days for all Urgent Referrals.

Appointments will either be made at time of INI process or clients will be formally informed they are on a waiting list. Where the Intake Team has not been able to contact clients or clients fail to attend appointments or wish to decline the service they were referred to, the Intake Team will formally inform clients of same. We encourage clients to conatct Community Health at anytime regarding referral queries or issues.

Advantages of Central Intake

  • Is a free service
  • Helps clients when they need support
  • If we can't help you, we will do our best to find someone who can
  • Ensures referral is appropriate
  • Achieves better outcomes for clients
  • Streamlined, timely approach.
  • Client at the centre of service delievery
  • Ensures Clients have access to the services they need.
  • Clients have opportunity to early intevention
  • Includes Health Promotion
  • Improved Health and Care outcomes

Referrals accepted by

Phone, Email, E-Referral, Fax, Letter or by walking into Community Health

For further information, please contact:
Intake-Complex Care Coordinator Intake Administrator Phone: (03)58620 560 Fax: (03) 58620 569 Email: numintake@humehealth.org.au