Frequently Asked Questions

What is Central Intake?

Central Intake offers one location to send referrals so that referrals can be directed to the most appropriate program, specialist or surgeon in an equitable, fair manner.  It also offers one location to contact if inquiring on the status of a referral.  All referrals are reviewed to make sure they are complete with the correct information and they are tracked and monitored so that no-one is lost in the system.  Central Intake also prevents duplicate referrals being sent on one patient to many providers thereby preventing "grid-lock" in the system.  By using central intake,  accurate wait times can be measured and reported to support system planning.  

How do I send a referral?

Complete all sections and electronically submit, fax or mail the referral form. For referrals to specialists, the referral form must be completed and signed by a physician or nurse practitioner and include their billing number.

To send a referral for Diabetes, click here

To send a referral for Orthopedics, click here

To send a referral for Ophthalmology (including Cataracts and Diabetic Retinopathy) click here

What is a wait time?

A wait time is the amount of time that you can expect to wait between the time you were referred and the time you receive an appointment.

How are wait times determined?

Diabetes:  A Certified Diabetes Educator triages each referral to determine and assign an urgency based on the regional standards and on the information provided on the referral. Wait times are calculated from the date the referral is received to the date of the appointment.

 

Orthopedics: An orthopedic surgeon reviews each referral to assign a priority.  Wait time 1 is measured from the date the referral is received to the date of the first consult.   Wait time 2 is measured from the date the surgery is booked to the surgery date. 

 

When can I expect to hear back about my appointment?

Diabetes: You will hear from the diabetes program within several business days to book an appointment.   It may take longer to hear from a specialists’ office.  If you have not heard from the program, you can call Central Intake at 519-947-1000 ext. 372 for more information.

 

Orthopedics: A surgeon will review your referral and assign a priority to outline how soon you will be seen. This information is communicated back to your primary care physician or nurse practitioner, who will notify you.  If you need an update on your referral, you can call Central Intake at 519-947-1000, option 3, for more information.

 

Ophthalmology: A surgeon will review your referral and assign a consult date. This information is communicated back to your optometrist, who will notify you, if you are not contacted directly by the surgeon.  If you need an update on your referral, you can call Central Intake at 519-947-1000, option 5, for more information.

What is System Coordinated Access?

System Coordinated Access is a region-wide strategy to improve the health of residents to ensure they receive the right care, at the right time. This strategy is being led by the eHealth Centre of Excellence.   The Regional Coordination Centre (RCC) is one program that is part of the overall strategy providing central intake for diabetes, orthopedics and self-management programs.

How is the Regional Coordination Centre (RCC) connected to Langs?

Langs Community Health Centre is the host organization for the RCC.