E-referrals

E-referral is a service that lets you choose your hospital or clinic and book an appointment.

When you and your GP agree that you need an appointment, you can choose which hospital or clinic you go to. You will also be able to choose the date and time of your appointment.

The benefits of E-referral Service:

• You can choose any hospital in England funded by the NHS (this includes NHS hospitals and some independent hospitals).
• You can choose the date and time of your appointment.
• You experience greater convenience and certainty. With E-referral, the choice is yours.
• There is less chance that information will get lost in the post because more correspondence takes place through computers.

What does E-referral mean for me?

As well as giving you a choice of hospital, date and time for your appointment, E-referral will also give you the ability to:

• plan and manage around your existing appointments, if you are currently undergoing treatment
• fit your treatment in with your other commitments, at home and at work
• choose appointments that fit with your carer’s schedule
• check the status of your referral and to change or cancel your appointments easily over the phone or on the internet.

How does the E-referral service work?

When you and your GP agree that you need an appointment with a specialist, E-referral shows your GP which hospitals or clinics are available for your treatment. Your GP discusses with you the clinically appropriate options which are available for treating your medical condition.

The Practice Medical Secretary will then book the first available appointment for you unless stated otherwise, and forward this information to you.   You will then have the opportunity to contact the hospital directly to alter the appointment time if this proves to be inconvenient to you.

Can I book all my appointments through the E-referral service?

When you and your GP agree that you need an appointment with a specialist, you can book your first outpatient appointment using  the E-referral service.

Whilst most referrals can be made through the E-referrals system, a referral will still be made as appropriate via hard copy if E-referral is not available.