Central Intake

Central intake (CI) is an initiative that is creating single points of entry for referrals across several key clinical pathways, starting with diagnostic imaging (computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) and to include orthopedics, cataract and mental health and addictions moving forward.

As part of Ontario Health’s broader system modernization efforts through Patients Before Paperwork, the expansion of central intake has been prioritized.

Ontario is working to implement regional central intake across the province for eligible specialty and diagnostic imaging pathways. Through CI hubs, referrals from clinicians are received, processed and routed centrally, ensuring patients are matched with the most appropriate provider, at the right time and in the right location.

Together, eReferral Ontario and central intake represent a significant step toward a more integrated, efficient and patient-centred health system.

Health System Benefits

Centralized referral management supports a more coordinated and equitable health system by enabling:

• reduced wait times for patients through streamlined triage and scheduling, ensuring referrals are reviewed and directed to the most appropriate health care provider more quickly
• fair and transparent distribution of referrals across health care providers and regions through standardized referral workflows, helping balance demand and improve access to care regardless of location
• lower administrative burden for referring clinicians and specialists by simplifying referral submission, tracking and communication processes within a single digital workflow
• enhanced visibility and shared accountability across the end to end referral pathway, supporting partners in monitoring referral volumes, wait times and service performance

Implementation Timeline (Interim Solution)

Stage 1: Focused on the diagnostic imaging (CT/MRI) pathway, with regions onboarding to provincially procured technology supporting fax/electronic data transfer (EDT) workflows. 

Regions are establishing new diagnostic imaging (CT/MRI) CI hubs. These hubs will be supported by a CI technology platform, which will enable referrals to be received and routed to the appropriate destination sites. During this period, existing regional hubs for other specialities and current integrations will continue operating independently.  

Regional CI hubs for diagnostic imaging (CT/MRI) identified in the six regions currently are:

• East – Kingston Health Sciences Centre
• West – Hamilton Health Sciences Centre
• Toronto – University Health Network
• Central – Mackenzie Health
• North East – Health Sciences North
• North West – Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Workflow Overview

In addition to existing workflows where diagnostic imaging referrals are sent directly to imaging facilities, primary care providers and specialists are encouraged to submit referrals through the new diagnostic imaging central Intake hub within their region.

This interim workflow introduces consistent, foundational processes across all regions:

• Referrals will be submitted by fax or electronic data transfer (eDT).
• Primary care providers and specialists will send referrals directly to the central intake hub.
• Regions with existing sub-regional CI models may continue using their workflows during Stage 1.
• The CI hub will process and route referrals to the appropriate receiving site by fax or eDT.
• Receiving sites will enter referral and booking information into their scheduling systems and send booking confirmations back to the referring provider, when needed, with a copy to the CI hub.

CT and MRI Referral Forms

Standardized CT and MRI referral forms are available to support the launch of diagnostic imaging central intake CI hubs.

Access the forms :

• CT referral form
• MRI referral form
• CT referral form - West Region
• MRI referral form - West Region

Standardized CT and MRI referral forms (SRFs) are available on OceanMD to support use of eReferral.

Access the forms : Ocean Forms Library - OceanMD

Referral and Practice Guidelines

Access referral and practice guidelines:

• Choosing Wisely Canada radiology referral guidance
• Canadian Association of Radiologists referral guidelines
• Canadian Association of Radiologists practice guidelines:
  • CAR/CSACI Practice Guidance for Contrast Media Hypersensitivity
  • Canadian Association of Radiologists Guidance on Contrast Associated Acute Kidney Injury
• Ontario Clinical Guidance on Patient Selection and Prioritization for Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA)
• Ontario Health Clinical and Quality Standards
  • Low Back Pain: Care for Adults with Acute Low Back Pain
  • Osteoarthritis: Care for Adults with Osteoarthritis of the Knee, Hip, Hand, or Shoulder

Future Developments for Central Intake

Additional care clinical pathways will begin to operationalize their own CI hubs in later phases of this work, including orthopedics, cataract surgery and mental health and addictions coordinated access.

Stage 2: Central Intake Technology integrated with provincial Ontario Health assets like the Provincial Care Coordination Gateway and Provincial Health Services Directory, and leveraging fax and eReferral Ontario workflows. These integrations will support multiple referral intake methods, including fax, eDT and eReferral. This phase is targeted for fall 2026.