Submit a referral

Read the eligibility criteria below carefully, then select your referral stream to proceed.

The Healthy North Coast Telepsychiatry Program, delivered by Dokotela, provides free specialist psychiatric assessment and support for eligible people living in the North Coast NSW region who have severe and persistent mental health needs. The program aims to improve timely access to psychiatric care, particularly for people who may otherwise experience barriers to accessing specialist services.

Before submitting a referral, please ensure the patient/consumer is referred through the appropriate referral stream and meets all applicable eligibility criteria.

Eligibility will be confirmed during the Dokotela intake process. If the referral does not meet the required criteria, it may be declined, which could delay the patient/consumer's access to appropriate care. Providing accurate and complete information helps ensure referrals are processed efficiently.

Eligibility criteria by referral stream

Pathway 1

GP Referral Stream

✓ Completed a current IAR-DST indicating a severe and persistent mental health condition, with a derived Level of Care 4 or above
✓ Holds a valid Health Care Card or equivalent concession card
✓ Clear clinical indication that psychiatric assessment or intervention is required
✓ Resides within the North Coast NSW region
✓ Is aged 12 years or over

Pathway 2

Healthy North Coast Commissioned Service Referral Stream

✓ Consumer is actively engaged with a Healthy North Coast-commissioned service
✓ Completed an IAR-DST within the last 3 months indicating a severe and persistent mental health condition, with a derived Level of Care 3 or above
✓ Consumer demonstrates a clinical need for psychiatric assessment or intervention
✓ Has a GP referral addressed to the Healthy North Coast Telepsychiatry Program (Dokotela)
✓ Is aged 12 years or over

Pathway 3

ACCHO GP Referral Stream

✓ Consumer is actively engaged with an ACCHO service
✓ Completed an IAR-DST within the last 3 months indicating a severe and persistent mental health condition, with a derived Level of Care 3 or above
✓ Consumer demonstrates a clinical need for psychiatric assessment or intervention
✓ Has a GP referral addressed to the Healthy North Coast Telepsychiatry Program (Dokotela)
✓ Is aged 12 years or over

Select your referral stream to begin

Pathway 1

GP Referral Stream

For General Practitioners referring a patient with a valid Health Care Card who meets the Level of Care 4 threshold.

Start GP referral

Pathway 2

Commissioned Service Referral Stream

For HNCPHN-commissioned services referring a consumer actively engaged with your service who meets the Level of Care 3 threshold.

Start Commissioned Service referral

Pathway 3

ACCHO GP Referral Stream

For ACCHO services within the HNCPHN catchment area referring a consumer actively engaged with your service who meets the Level of Care 3 threshold.

Start ACCHO referral

Check patient catchment eligibility

All pathways require the patient to reside within the HNCPHN catchment area (Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads).

Not sure which pathway applies? Contact the Dokotela intake team before submitting. Internal intake will decline any referral where the incorrect pathway has been selected or where eligibility criteria are not met. All pathways require the patient to reside within the HNCPHN catchment area, be aged 12 years or older, and be referred for treatment and management only (not medico-legal reports or standalone assessments).