Clinician information for SA Intellectual Disability Health Service

SA Intellectual Disability Health Service (SAIDHS) is a state-wide, specialised health service funded by SA Health which provides medical and mental health assessment and consultation for adults with intellectual disability and complex needs.

Specialised medical (General Practitioner, Rehabilitation and Neurology Physicians) and mental health (Psychiatrist) clinical services are available to provide comprehensive assessment and planning to support ongoing care in the community by existing services, such as GPs and Allied Health professionals.

SAIDHS does not provide ongoing services, however, can offer short term follow up and time limited treatment.

A detailed clinical plan and recommendations are provided to the referring service (usually the GP) on discharge. People can be re-referred to SAIDHS if their health needs change.

SAIDHS is located at Ingle Farm, approximately 30 minutes northeast of the Adelaide CBD, in a wheelchair-accessible and quiet location. Our office hours are 8.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Services are provided by appointment at the SAIDHS clinic at Ingle Farm or via telehealth. Home visits may be available based on clinical need.

Where appropriate, SAIDHS clinicians can also provide clinician support and advice in response to telephone enquiries. These may be general or patient-specific in nature. You can call us on (08) 8257 7300 to discuss this further.

Eligibility criteria

People who can access SAIDHS medical and mental health services are adults with intellectual disability and/or significant developmental disability with heightened levels of complexity as a result of one or more of:

  • mental illness or suspected mental illness
  • autism spectrum disorder
  • severe or profound communication issues
  • complex behavioural issues
  • other disabilities or health conditions
  • other complexities or issues which have been difficult to manage in mainstream services.

SAIDHS does not provide the following services:

  • emergency or crisis service
  • ongoing medical or psychiatric management
  • IQ assessments
  • case management
  • assessment/medication advice for ADHD in the absence of other referral criteria.

Referral process

For information about the referral process and eligibility see the SAIDHS Referral Information Fact Sheet (PDF 256KB).

To make a referral to SAIDHS, please complete the SAIDHS referral form (PDF 224KB).

Our referral form can also be imported into GP practice software:

Alternatively, you can make a referral in writing by including the following information:

  • current patient demographic information and contact details
  • date of referral and the duration of the referral
  • referring practitioner contact details
  • referring practitioner’s provider number
  • signature of the referrer
  • general practitioner contact details (if not the referring clinician)
  • comprehensive reason for referral
  • requirement for interpreter services
  • alerts to infectious status, allergies or communicable diseases that may affect other staff and patients being treated in the same vicinity
  • relevant summary information on the patient’s medical history, including current medications and allergies
  • investigations and treatment undertaken
  • relevant psycho-social issues.

Please ensure all referrals include the best contact person for collateral information (e.g. person with intellectual disability, family, carer, case manager or support worker).

All referrals can be faxed to (08) 8257 7399 or emailed to HealthSAIDHS@sa.gov.au.

All referrals are triaged by the SAIDHS triage team to determine clinical urgency with appointments offered based on highest clinical need.

If a referral is accepted, a pre-appointment assessment will be completed by a SAIDHS clinician to gather collateral information from the person with intellectual disability, their family, carers and support providers. Once completed, an appointment can be offered.

If a referral is not accepted, we will notify you via letter and include an explanation for this decision.

If you are unsure if our service is appropriate for your patient, or require more information, contact us on (08) 8257 7300 and ask to speak to a member of our triage team.

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