HIP Complex Care Services - Psychosocial (ALERT)

Service overview

Assessment, Liaison & Early Referral Team (ALERT) aims to reduce hospital demand by providing coordinated care that bridges the gap between the acute hospital Emergency Department (ED) and the community. ALERT particularly targets patients with complex psychosocial and medical needs, including frequent presenters experiencing homelessness.

ALERT consists of two services:

  • ED Care coordination service that works in the Emergency department actively screening and coordinating care to support safe discharge back out to the community and
  • Community care coordination service that provides short term community case management (average 1- 6 months).

Team members

  • Social Workers
  • Nurses
  • Physiotherapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Dietician
  • Lived experience worker
  • Outreach Lawyer
  • Sessional psychiatrist

Service delivery

  • 7 days per week 7.30am – 9.00pm (ED Care coordination service)
  • Mon-Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm (Community care coordination service)

Eligibility criteria

Clients who are frequent presenters or at risk of re-presenting to hospital due to issues around Homelessness, Substance use, Mental health, Family violence, disability, complex aged care.

Referral process

External referrals via Health Independence Program (HIP) central intake:

Or internally via pager 204

Contact details 

9231 2211 pager #204