The collaboration will integrate ConsultMed’s digital referral platform with PalCare, a leading software provider for palliative care users across the SEMPHN region

From next month, referrals to Palliative Care South East and Peninsula Home Hospice will become available through the ConsultMed eReferral platform – a secure digital tool designed to reduce administrative workload and improve timely access to care.

What's changing?

The new referral process will be fully digital and will integrate with your existing practice management software – Best Practice, Medical Director, and (soon) ZedMed. The digital referral system will allow you to:

• Auto-populate patient and clinical details
• Submit referrals securely
• Track the progress of referrals in real time
• Communicate directly with palliative care services for updates and follow-up.

Why it matters

General practitioners are central to connecting patients with community palliative care – especially as demand for services grows. However, current referral processes are time-consuming and often lead to delays that affect patient care. Moving to a digital platform helps remove those barriers by:

• Eliminating unnecessary paperwork
• Reducing follow-up calls and emails
• Ensuring Community Palliative Care Services receive complete, high-quality referrals faster.

Ultimately, this means patients can be connected with vital services sooner – supporting better outcomes and more coordinated care for patients with a life-limiting illness.

What you can do now

We’re asking practices to get ready ahead of the go-live date by registering early and familiarising themselves with the ConsultMed platform.

To get started:

• Visit app.consultmed.co
• Create a secure account
• Explore the available guides and integration steps.

For account setup or technical assistance, the Consultmed team can provide support via the Contact Us page.

If you have questions about the change or what it means for your practice, please reach out to Sue Johns (SEMPHN Project Coordinator – Palliative Care) at palliativecare@semphn.org.au or talk to your Provider Support Officer.