Referral to Hospital

If you need to be referred to hospital for treatment or specialist advice, you may be able to choose where and when you go. In most cases you can choose from a number of hospitals and in some cases you may be able to book your hospital appointment before you leave the surgery.

If you would prefer to have some time to think before deciding where and when to have treatment, you will be given a booking request form which will allow you to make your appointment with the hospital of your choice by telephone from home.

It is now NHS policy that patients can see the letter their GP sends to the hospital when they are referred. If you would like to see a copy of your referral letter please ask either the receptionist or the doctor during your appointment. You will be able to pick the letter up personally from the reception desk a few days later.

To protect your right to confidentiality we cannot post copies out to your home address nor can we allow someone else to pick it up on your behalf.

Requesting letter to expedite hospital appointment or procedure

Due to increased waiting times, hospitals sometimes advise patients to obtain a letter from their GP in order to expedite their appointment. Please be aware that GPs and the practice have no influence over hospital waiting times or the scheduling of appointments.

All referrals to secondary care, including orthopaedics, are reviewed and triaged by the relevant consultant team. Appointments are allocated based on clinical urgency and need.

A GP letter requesting expedition will only be considered by the hospital if there has been a significant change in your clinical condition or a completely new situation has arisen since the original referral. Without such changes, a letter from the GP is unlikely to have any impact on your waiting time.

If you feel your appointment has been unreasonably delayed or your symptoms have worsened, we recommend that you contact your hospital consultant’s secretary or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.

If the hospital insists on receiving a letter, we advise that you write to them directly. Such letters are generally most effective when written from the patient’s perspective, explaining how the delay is affecting your health and daily life.

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Thank you for your understanding.