General Practice Integration Unit

Our GPIU focuses on eight key strategic outcomes that guide our partnerships within Western Health, and with local GPs and community providers, to improve the coordination of care.

The strategic outcomes include:

1. Partnering with GPs and Western health team to design safer, more integrated systems and care pathways.
2. Improving information sharing and data management to make care more connected.
3. Ensuring GPs have a say in how health services are planned.
4. Supporting shared and integrated care models, helping GPs and hospitals work together to improve patient pathways.
5. Making communication between GPs and hospitals clear and timely through our newsletter, query service, and the North Western Melbourne PHN.
6. Helping providers find the right services at the right time.
7. Providing GP education to support high-quality care.
8. Using research, evaluation, and quality improvement to discover what works best and strengthen integration between primary care and our health service.

We work primarily with general practice providers and other healthcare partners to support integrated, coordinated care across the health system. The GPIU is not a patient-facing service.

For information for primary care providers about Western Health departments and services, visit the General Practice update newsletter and information page 

You can find all the latest information on the new Footscray Hospital location page.

Please note: GP referral processes to Western Health will remain the same, however if you require further information or have any questions, please email [email protected]

Key information about the new Footscray Hospital will be shared with the wider community on our website and across our social media channels:

• Facebook - facebook.com/westernhealthau
• Instagram - instagram.com/westernhealthau
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/western-health

Western Health now uses HealthLink for Secure Messaging Delivery (SMD).

We send clinical documents securely through HealthLink and no longer use PulseNet. For more information, visit the HealthLink page on our website. 

If you need help troubleshooting HealthLink or SMD issues, contact our SMD Officer.

If you are not yet registered for HealthLink and unsure where to start, visit our HealthLink page or HealthLink FAQs page, or email the General Practice Integration Unit.

How do I request discharge summaries?

To request a discharge summary or other information from the patient’s medical record, please contact: [email protected]. Written patient consent must be provided with the request to enable release of this information unless you are the primary GP in the medical record.

Western Health discharge summaries may also be available via My Health Record, where the patient has not applied restrictions to their record.

How do I transfer medical records?

If a patient has moved clinics and you require a transfer of medical records, please contact: [email protected]

How do I make referrals?

For all referral submissions and changes to referrals, please visit our Health Professionals page.

The ‘How to refer’ section provides a comprehensive overview of referral processes for Adult Specialist Clinics, Paediatric Specialist Clinics and Women’s (Maternity and Gynaecology) Clinics.

How do I submit an Advanced Care Directive for adults?

To submit an Advanced Care Directive on behalf of a patient contact Medical Records:
Fax (preferred): 8345 6337
Email: [email protected]

How do I notify Western Health of a deceased patient?

To notify Western Health of a deceased patient, contact Medical Records:
Fax (preferred): 8345 6337
Email: [email protected]

What should I do if correspondence is received in error?

Occasionally, GPs receive clinical correspondence from Western Health in error. If you have received correspondence for a patient who does not attend your clinic, please return the document to us via fax with ‘not our patient’ noted.
Fax: 8345 1180