102Period of validity for referrals

102 Period of validity for referrals

(1) Subject to this section: (a) a referral that states it is valid for a fixed period is valid until the end of that period after the first service rendered in accordance with the referral; and (b) a referral that states it is valid indefinitely is valid for an indefinite period; and (c) a referral that does not state a time for which it remains valid is valid until 12 months after the first service rendered in accordance with the referral. Referrals given by particular persons (2) A referral given by a specialist or consultant physician is valid: (a) for a maximum of 3 months after the first service given in accordance with the referral; or (b) if the referred person is a patient in a hospital at the time of referral and continues to be so for more than 3 months—until the person ceases to be a patient in a hospital. (3) A referral given by a participating midwife is valid for a maximum of 12 months after the first service is given in accordance with the referral, and for one pregnancy only. (4) A referral given by a participating nurse practitioner is valid for a maximum of 12 months after the first service is given in accordance with the referral. Special cases (5) A referral for a professional service to a patient in a hospital who is not a public patient is valid until the patient ceases to be a patient in the hospital who is not a public patient. (6) A referral that does not comply with subsection 98(1), and is given in the circumstances described in subsection 98(2) (emergencies), is valid for only one attendance on the patient. (7) A written referral that is lost, stolen or destroyed is valid for only one attendance on the patient.