2.8 Referral Arrangements and Relationship with other Providers
You should maintain regular contact with other providers in your area.
Formal referral agreements should be established between providers to ensure service users receive a consistent, seamless service.
It is essential to ensure that all people within the community have access to a range of good quality services.
The referral agreement should always include the way in which the referral is made. It should be to a named individual and should include the following:
- the dates and times of any appointments,
- the grounds for acceptance or rejection,
- the respective responsibilities of referrer and referred,
- the expected outcome of the referral,
- the right of the referred to return to the original service provider if he/she is not satisfied.
When referring to other agencies, you should have clear selection criteria. Where possible, you should consult with the service user. In complex cases, written instructions should be provided for the referral body.
Go to the next page: Standard Three - Managing Your Service to Ensure Accessibility
(c) Scottish Accessible Information Forum, 2007
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