Information For Health Professionals
Referral information, support pathways and palliative care guidance for healthcare professionals working with patients in Franklin.
Who Can Refer
Referrals can be made by GPs, hospital teams, specialists, community nurses, aged residential care providers and other healthcare professionals involved in a patient’s care.
When To Refer
A referral may be appropriate when symptoms are becoming complex, care needs are changing, or the patient and whānau would benefit from specialist palliative care support.
What Happens Next
Our clinical team will review the referral, contact the patient or referrer where appropriate, and help determine the most suitable support pathway.
Referral Criteria
When A Referral May Be Appropriate
Patients may be eligible for referral to the Franklin Hospice Palliative Care team when they meet the referral criteria and would benefit from specialist palliative care support.
Diagnosis
The patient has a life-limiting illness and palliative care needs.
Patient Awareness And Consent
The patient and/or whānau are aware of the referral and consent has been discussed.
Complex Symptom Control
The patient requires specialist care for managing complex symptoms such as pain, nausea or breathlessness.
Psychosocial Support
The patient or their whānau requires specialist support for emotional, social, spiritual or practical concerns.
Difficult Conversations
Support is needed with end-of-life conversations, Advance Care Planning or family meetings.
Home Care
The patient is in the deteriorating or terminal phase of illness and is currently being cared for at home.
Referring A Patient
How To Send A Referral
Healthcare professionals can refer a patient to Franklin Hospice using the following methods.
Medtech Via Healthlink
Use your practice system to send a referral through Healthlink.
Referral information can be sent directly to Franklin Hospice by email.
E-Referrals
Use your approved e-referral pathway where available.
Confirmation Call: For urgent referrals, please call us to ensure the referral has been successfully received.
POI Programme
POI And Palliative Activation Plan
The POI programme supports general practitioners, practice nurses and aged residential care facilities in providing non-complex palliative care independently.
One valuable tool is the Palliative Activation Plan, also known as PPA. This can be completed for stable palliative patients who do not currently meet hospice criteria.
It is important to note that a PPA is not a referral to hospice, and the patient will not be seen by hospice. If the patient’s condition becomes complex later on, a referral to hospice can be considered.
Visit POI Project