NHS Referrals

Faith177

peachyprice wrote: »

We get a choice of 5 hospitals, NHS and private so always get an appointment somewhere, if not our first choice.

It depends on what it's for but often we will only get a choice of two so the chances of getting an appointment are slim.

I've been waiting on a referral to the back pain clinic for sciatica since July just nothing available and that's just to be assessed to see if i need an MRI or physio so even when I do get seen I'll then have to wait for a slot for whichever treatment they decide

peachyprice

Gigervamp wrote: »

No. Here, you go to doc, they refer to hospital and you wait for the appointment letter in the post.

Looks like they should be. From the link missbiggles posted:

If your GP is not already using Choose and Book for your referral, you can ask them to do so. If your GP refuses to use Choose and Book, you should speak to your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Our docs have been using the system for a few years now, it works really well and leaves the patient in control. Although I do appreciate we're lucky that living where we do we have London, Essex and two private hospitals to choose from.

Gigervamp

As I said, I'm in Wales and our NHS is different with different rules. For example, I wouldn't be able to access the Cancer Drugs Fund as that's for NHS England patients.

ETA, Had a look and found this page about referrals. There's another page that mentions being able to book GP appointments online, but that's all I could find.

peachyprice

Sorry, I missed the Wales bit. Hope you do get it eventually.

brook2jack

Welsh system is completely different from England. There is no choose and book and many of the Welsh health boards are in dire financial straits, so there is no 16 week waiting time either.

In my area they closed waiting lists completely for some specialities and the only place you can refer eg oral medicine problems in the whole of Wales is Cardiff.

18 month plus waits are not unknown for treatment.

I'm afraid all you can do is check with gp if you do not receive an appointment. Unfortunately the waiting lists are managed by clerical workers , independent of hospital or gp , and there is no way of bumping up the list unless you are in a really urgent category.

The health service in Wales , and particularly in North Wales is in meltdown with not enough money and ridiculous waiting lists. The ex CEO of Betsi Cadwallader health board had to move to Ellesmere Port as Wales would not fund her cancer treatment.

missbiggles1

Faith177 wrote: »

It depends on what it's for but often we will only get a choice of two so the chances of getting an appointment are slim.

I've been waiting on a referral to the back pain clinic for sciatica since July just nothing available and that's just to be assessed to see if i need an MRI or physio so even when I do get seen I'll then have to wait for a slot for whichever treatment they decide

Only two in the whole of Greater London?

beeg0d

Faith177 wrote: »

It depends on what it's for but often we will only get a choice of two so the chances of getting an appointment are slim.

I've been waiting on a referral to the back pain clinic for sciatica since July just nothing available and that's just to be assessed to see if i need an MRI or physio so even when I do get seen I'll then have to wait for a slot for whichever treatment they decide

You should ask your GP to see if self-referal is avlaible in your area. When i went to my GP in December with sciatica the GP gave me the contact info for my local NHS physio and told me to contact them direct.

Poppy9

I'm in Wales and our system is see GP, they refer you wait a zillion years!

You can self refer for physiotherapy but they won't treat you until the GP has told them what's wrong!

I had recent surgery and surgeon told me would be on a specific week. I heard nothing so I rang surgeon's secretary. She was great and got things moving and I had a date the same day.