Non-urgent advice: NHS Referrals
NHS Referrals are sent in a variety of formats. The main pathway for sending referrals is through the E-Referral service NHS website (ERS).
Some referrals are sent via e-mail and some referrals are sent electronically from our computer system to the receiving organisation’s computer system.
If you are waiting for an appointment and have not heard about an appointment date, in the first instance you should try and contact the organisation and department to which you have been referred.
Some referrals are sent via e-mail and some referrals are sent electronically from our computer system to the receiving organisation’s computer system.
If you are waiting for an appointment and have not heard about an appointment date, in the first instance you should try and contact the organisation and department to which you have been referred.
I have not received my follow-up appointment
If you have been seen at the hospital in the past, they may have told you that they would see you again in 3, 6, 9 or 12 months’ time. If you have not received your follow-up appointment, please contact the hospital department directly.
You can find their telephone number on the clinic letter following your last appointment or on the hospital website. If you need a copy of this letter, please ask at the reception desk.
You can find their telephone number on the clinic letter following your last appointment or on the hospital website. If you need a copy of this letter, please ask at the reception desk.
I have not received my scan, x-ray or surgery date, following a hospital
appointment
If you were seen at the hospital and advised that you needed a scan, x-ray or surgery and you have not received a date to have this done, please contact the hospital department directly.
You can find their telephone number on the clinic letter following your last appointment or on the hospital website. If you need a copy of this letter, please check on the NHS APP or ask at the reception desk.
You can find their telephone number on the clinic letter following your last appointment or on the hospital website. If you need a copy of this letter, please check on the NHS APP or ask at the reception desk.
I missed my appointment and need another one
If you missed your appointment, whether it was your fault or you did not receive the appointment letter in time, you can request another appointment by calling the hospital outpatient appointment booking office.
If you have missed x2 appointments, they may tell you that you need to be re-referred by your GP. If you need a new referral, please contact the practice to arrange this.
If you have missed x2 appointments, they may tell you that you need to be re-referred by your GP. If you need a new referral, please contact the practice to arrange this.
I’m not sure of the date or time of my hospital appointment
If you need to confirm details of your hospital appointment, please contact the hospital outpatient appointment booking office.
I don’t know what time the community team is coming to my home
If you are under the care of a community team that comes to your home, ie. the district nurses or community physiotherapy and you want to know about your appointment, you will need to contact that team directly to find out.
My hospital appointment is too far in the future
Unfortunately, some departments at the hospital have long waiting times for patients to be seen. If your symptoms have significantly deteriorated since you were referred, the practice may be able to ask the hospital to bring your appointment forward. This can only be done if agreed by the GP.
If the GP has asked for your appointment to be brought forward, the practice will email the department asking for this to happen.
Please note, this does not guarantee that your appointment will be brought forward.
The consultant at the hospital will review the request and it is up to the hospital to decide whether they will offer you a sooner appointment. Once the practice has e-mailed the hospital with the request, you will need to contact the hospital department directly to find out whether this can be done.
If the GP has asked for your appointment to be brought forward, the practice will email the department asking for this to happen.
Please note, this does not guarantee that your appointment will be brought forward.
The consultant at the hospital will review the request and it is up to the hospital to decide whether they will offer you a sooner appointment. Once the practice has e-mailed the hospital with the request, you will need to contact the hospital department directly to find out whether this can be done.
I cannot get through to the hospital department or appointments office
If you cannot get through to the hospital, you can contact the hospital’s patient advice and liaison service for help.
Please note that the practice does not have any special contact details for the hospital.
If we need to contact them, we have to use the same number that you have been trying.
Please note that the practice does not have any special contact details for the hospital.
If we need to contact them, we have to use the same number that you have been trying.
I have been referred to the hospital, but I have not received my first appointment
If you have been referred to the hospital, please check on the NHS APP for the status of your referral.
Please contact the hospital booking line for further information on wait times.
If you have been referred to a community healthcare provider, Contact details for the majority of community providers (non-hospital appointments) can be on the HRCH website: https://www.hrch.nhs.uk/our-services/services-directory/
Please contact the hospital booking line for further information on wait times.
If you have been referred to a community healthcare provider, Contact details for the majority of community providers (non-hospital appointments) can be on the HRCH website: https://www.hrch.nhs.uk/our-services/services-directory/