Refer a Patient

The Royal is a specialized mental health centre that provides care for people with complex and difficult-to-treat mental illness and/or substance use issues.

Most programs at The Royal require a referral from a primary care provider.

Primary care providers MUST complete this central intake referral form to refer patients who require the following service and/or setting of care:

* If you are referring your patient to the Dual Diagnosis program, please provide all psychological assessment records if available.

** Referrals to the inpatient Mood/Anxiety, Schizophrenia, and Youth Programs will only be considered if they are transfers from other hospital inpatient units. We do not accept inpatient referrals for these programs from primary care physicians.

Other programs/conditions have their own referral forms. See below for all programs available at The Royal and the detailed inclusion criteria for each one.

Important: The Royal does not provide emergency services. If your patient is in immediate danger or too ill to wait for assessment, contact a psychiatric crisis service, hospital emergency room, or the Mental Health Helpline at +1-866-531-2600.

Community Mental Health Program

The Royal’s Community Mental Health Program offers a variety of community based treatments and supports for people living with mental illness. Please visit the Community Mental Health Program page for information about each service and how to make a referral.

Dual Diagnosis Program

People referred to for dual diagnosis services at The Royal [Regional Dual Diagnosis Consultation Team, Flexible Assertive Community Treatment Team for Persons Dually Diagnosed (FACTT-DD)] must meet the following inclusion criteria:

Adult (18 years+) Must have a mental illness AND

• Must have an intellectual disability
  • This criteria is substantiated by an intellectual assessment (psychology) with results that are at the 1st percentile and below
• GP must be aware of and in agreement with referral (community workers, family members, or other care providers may submit referrals with physician agreement)

Note to referring physicians and nurse practitioners: Referrals to The Royal’s Dual Diagnosis Program can be submitted electronically directly from your EMR if you have been set up with Ocean eReferral. Ocean eReferral is a regional program that offers an integrated solution at no cost for all primary care providers in Champlain with compatible EMRs (Telus PSS, QHR Accuro, and certain versions of OSCAR). Once set up, referrals can be initiated directly from the patient's chart in your EMR, launching the appropriate electronic referral form and automatically populating it with much of the appropriate information for the patient and referring clinician. For more information about eReferral, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6211.

Click here to submit a referral (note that fields within the form can be completed electronically, then the form can be printed and a patient label or addressograph attached before it is signed and faxed to The Royal at 613.798.2976). When referring to FACTT-DD, the referring person must also complete the Violence/Aggression Assessment Checklist.

If you require assistance submitting your referral, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6211.

Geriatric Psychiatry Program

The Geriatric Outpatient service is a consultation service offering professional advice and psychiatric expertise to referring primary care physicians and psychiatrists. Referrals are required from family physicians to access the services of the Geriatric Psychiatry Program. Please call the Intake Secretary at +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6637. Patients who have been evaluated by a geriatric psychiatrist in a community clinic, long-term care home or a hospital, and may require an admission should contact the Geriatric Inpatient Program directly at +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6637.

Mood and Anxiety Program

Patients referred to the Mood and Anxiety Program at The Royal must meet the following inclusion criteria:

1. Between 18 - 65 with primary diagnosis of mood and anxiety disorders;
2. Demonstrated and documented treatment resistance (inadequate response to adequate dosage and duration of two first line medications); 
3. Requires treatment recommendations to attain plateau or stabilization of symptoms with transfer back to the care of referring source; or
4. Requires specialized treatment to attain plateau or stabilization of symptoms prior to transfer back to the care of referring source

Referrals must be made by a physician or nurse practitioner (no self-referrals).  

Note to referring physicians and nurse practitioners: Referrals to The Royal’s Mood and Anxiety Program can be submitted electronically directly from your EMR if you have been set up with Ocean eReferral. Ocean eReferral is a regional program that offers an integrated solution at no cost for all primary care providers in Champlain with compatible EMRs (Telus PSS, QHR Accuro, and certain versions of OSCAR). Once set up, referrals can be initiated directly from the patient's chart in your EMR, launching the appropriate electronic referral form and automatically populating it with much of the appropriate information for the patient and referring clinician. For more information about eReferral, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6211.

Click here to submit a referral (note that fields within the form can be completed electronically, then the form can be printed and a patient label or addressograph attached before it is signed and faxed to The Royal at +1 (613) 798-2976). If referring for inpatient services, clinicians must also complete the Violence/Aggression Assessment Checklist.

If you require assistance submitting your referral, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6211.

Please note that The Royal’s mood and anxiety program does not provide Independent Medical Evaluations (IME); court-ordered, CAS, or ODSP assessments; or formal workplace or insurance assessments.

Ottawa Operational Stress Injury Clinic

To receive services at the The Royal’s Operational Stress Injury Clinic, Canadian Forces Veterans, Canadian Forces members and RCMP members require a referral. Veterans are asked to discuss a referral with their Veterans Affairs Canada case manager. People without case managers may call +1-866-522-2122 (English) or +1-866-522-2022 (French) to inquire about their eligibility. Those who are still serving should contact their Base Medical Officer. RCMP members should contact Health Care Services for a referral.

Prompt Care Clinic

The Prompt Care Clinic is a psychiatric consultation service intended for individuals struggling with mild to moderate mental illness whose primary care provider requires diagnostic clarification or medication and treatment guidance. 

Click here to submit a referral to the Prompt Care Clinic. All referrals must be submitted by a primary care provider (i.e. family doctor or nurse practitioner). 

Before submitting a referral, consider the following:

• Are you the primary care provider for this client?
  • If no, please connect with the client’s primary care provider to request a referral.
• Does your client reside in the Champlain region and have valid OHIP coverage?
  • If no, please refer your client to services within their geographic catchment area. 
• Does your client already have a psychiatrist in the community?
  • If yes, please ask client to follow up with their psychiatrist for care.
• Has your client  received a psychiatric assessment within the past 6 months?
  • If yes, have recommendations been followed?
• Has your client recently presented to the ER for mental health concerns?
  • If yes, were recommendations for treatment given?
• Do you anticipate your client requiring longitudinal care for stabilization and maintenance?
  •  If yes, please refer your client to services that provide ongoing care. The Prompt Care Clinic does not provide crisis intervention, prescriptions, or follow-up care. 

Recovery Program

Patients referred to the Recovery Program at The Royal must meet the following inclusion criteria:

1. Persons within the general adult population of the Champlain Region LHIN.
2. Have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder.
3. Have significant impairment in his or her ability to successfully function within the community. This is demonstrated by a lack of meaningful activity, social roles or functional ability to manage self-care or live in the community with minimal formal support.
4. Capable of engaging in the recovery process and aware of the referral.

Click here to submit a referral (note that fields within the form can be completed electronically, then the form can be printed and a patient label or addressograph attached before it is signed and faxed to The Royal at 613.798.2976). If referring for inpatient services, clinicians must also complete the Violence/Aggression Assessment Checklist.

If you require assistance submitting your referral, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6211.

Regional Forensic Mental Health Programs

Note to referring physicians and nurse practitioners: Referrals to The Royal’s Forensic Mental Health Program can be submitted electronically directly from your EMR if you have been set up with Ocean eReferral. Ocean eReferral is a regional program that offers an integrated solution at no cost for all primary care providers in Champlain with compatible EMRs (Telus PSS, QHR Accuro, and certain versions of OSCAR). Once set up, referrals can be initiated directly from the patient's chart in your EMR, launching the appropriate electronic referral form and automatically populating it with much of the appropriate information for the patient and referring clinician. For more information about eReferral, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6211.

Click here to submit a referral (note that fields within the form can be completed electronically, then the form can be printed and a patient label or addressograph attached before it is signed and faxed to The Royal at +1-613-798-2976) for the Anger Disorders Clinic, Sexual Behaviours Clinic, and general forensic services under The Royal’s Regional Forensic Mental Health Programs. If referring for inpatient services, clinicians must also complete the Violence/Aggression Assessment Checklist.

For people under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Review Board or referred by the court system, please contact our Regional Forensic Coordinator at +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6364. 

NEW: The Royal has streamlined its e-referral form to improve the speed and efficiency with which referrals are triaged. All referrals to the Anger Disorders Clinic, Sexual Behaviours Clinic, and general forensic services under The Royal’s Regional Forensic Mental Health Programs must now be submitted online. If you have trouble using the form, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6211.

Schizophrenia Program

Patients referred to the schizophrenia program at The Royal must meet the following inclusion criteria:

1. Be 16 years of age or older
2. Meet the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia or related disorder;
3. Have clinical needs that cannot be adequately addressed in the community or the general psychiatry setting. [The person must have at least one of the clinical needs listed below and/or the person would benefit from clinical research activity in the schizophrenia program]
4. The referring community physician is willing to participate in shared care of the person being admitted to The Royal’s Schizophrenia Program

Clinical needs are defined as:

1. Unstable symptoms or failure to respond well to medication
2. Psychosocial needs in at least three of the following areas:
3. Basic tasks of independent living
   • Housing
   • Finances
   • Educational or occupational functioning
   • Ability to establish or maintain social support system

Note to referring physicians and nurse practitioners: Referrals to The Royal’s Integrated Schizophrenia Recovery Program can be submitted electronically directly from your EMR if you have been set up with Ocean eReferral. Ocean eReferral is a regional program that offers an integrated solution at no cost for all primary care providers in Champlain with compatible EMRs (Telus PSS, QHR Accuro, and certain versions of OSCAR). Once set up, referrals can be initiated directly from the patient's chart in your EMR, launching the appropriate electronic referral form and automatically populating it with much of the appropriate information for the patient and referring clinician. For more information about eReferral, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6211.

Click here to submit a referral (note that fields within the form can be completed electronically, then the form can be printed and a patient label or addressograph attached before it is signed and faxed to The Royal at 613.798.2976). If referring for inpatient services, clinicians must also complete the Violence/Aggression Assessment Checklist.

If you require assistance submitting your referral, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6211.

Short Term Talk Therapy (IASP Program)

Ontario’s Increasing Access to Structured Psychotherapy (IASP) program provides free, short-term, face-to-face Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for adults experiencing depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

How IASP can help

IASP offers evidence-based psychotherapy – specifically CBT – that is proven to bring about positive change for clients by teaching practical skills and strategies to manage mental health issues.  

CBT is a structured, time-limited therapy that is problem-focused and goal-oriented. CBT looks at how thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are related. With this understanding, clients can change how they react to troubling thoughts or situations. CBT helps clients develop personal coping tools and techniques that promote their strengths, enhance recovery and improve quality of life.  

Clients will work with their IASP therapists for approximately 12 sessions, depending on the issue that the client and therapist agree to address. Clients and therapists may meet in-person or via telemedicine - the format will be based on the client’s needs and location.

Who is eligible?

This program is suitable for adults (18+) who are experiencing the following mental health problems:

• Depression 
• Anxiety disorders 
• Obsessive-Compulsive disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Clients must be willing to attend weekly or bi-weekly therapeutic sessions and be able to actively participate in CBT.

How to make a referral:

Clients must be referred by a physician or nurse practitioner by completing and submitting the referral form. 

Questions about the referral process can be directed to the IASP intake team at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre: +1-877-527-8207. 

Partners – Champlain Region

IASP for the Eastern Ontario region is led by The Royal and delivered in collaboration with:

• Family Services Ottawa
• Hawkesbury and District General Hospital
• Sandy Hill Community Health Centre
• CMHA-Ottawa
• Pembroke Regional Hospital
• Cornwall Community Hospital
• Montfort Hospital
• Lanark Renfrew Health and Community Services
• Jewish Family Services

All therapists in this program are members of appropriate regulated health professions (i.e. social workers, nurses, psychologists, etc.) who have undertaken intensive CBT training and are dedicated to helping clients live their best lives. They are trained and supervised directly by PhD Clinical Psychologists with expertise in CBT. 

IASP is funded by the Government of Ontario.

Sleep Clinic

The Royal's Sleep Clinic services are obtained through referral from a primary care physician, often a family doctor. Click here for the referral form or phone referrers should call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6248.

Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Programs

There are numerous ways to access the services at the Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program at The Royal. 

Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic

Clinicians and emergency departments referring patients to the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic for alcohol and/or opioid use should: submit this referral form, and provide the patient with our Patient Information Sheet provided to your hospital or clinic. 

Referral forms can be faxed to +1-613-715-5802.

Individuals seeking care for alcohol and/or opioid use can connect with our Digital Front Door in the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic at theroyal.accessraam.ca or by calling +1-613-722-6521 ext 6508.

Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders Department

Individuals seeking care for other substances of use, can self-refer by contacting the program directly at +1-613-722-6521 ext 6508.

Those seeking treatment for opioid use should call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6224.

Individuals are also welcome to reach out to AccessMHA for support with navigating services for their mental health, substance use health, and/or addictions concerns.

If you are a physician, nurse practitioner, or psychologist, you can help your patient access our services by completing this referral form or referrals can be submitted electronically directly from your EMR if you have been set up with Ocean eReferral. 

Ocean eReferral is a regional program that offers an integrated solution at no cost for all primary care providers in Champlain with compatible EMRs (Telus PSS, QHR Accuro, and certain versions of OSCAR). Once set up, referrals can be initiated directly from the patient's chart in your EMR, launching the appropriate electronic referral form and automatically populating it with much of the appropriate information for the patient and referring clinician. For more information about eReferral, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6211.

If you are a physician or nurse practitioner and would like to consult with one of our clinicians, please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6508, or fax your clinical question to +1-613-715-5802.

Please call +1-613-722-6521 ext. 6508 if you need additional information. 

Youth Program

Physicians wishing to make a referral must contact the CHEO/The Royal centralized intake for children and youth at +1-613-737-2496.