Mechanisms of cross-referral between services should be freely available. Where services are regionalised, the catchment regions should correspond. Wherever possible, conjoint medical appointments should be made across services. Where separate services exist, services should work together as one to provide responsible care for referred patients. Indiscriminate transfer of patients from one service to the other should be avoided.
Effective collaboration depends on mutual confidence and respect.
Mutual confidence is promoted by basic education in each other's disciplines. To this end, reciprocal arrangements should be constructed to provide training opportunities in each other's discipline. Please contact the secretariat to ensure the accuracy of this information.