What to expect when you are referred by your GP to see a specialist (or other service)
Please read this information carefully – it explains which parts of your care are the responsibility of your GP and which parts of your care are the responsibility of the specialist service. If you do not understand anything, please ask the responsible service.
Referral Letter
Your GP is responsible for sending your referral letter to the specialist. After we have done this, we will let you know, by sending you an email with a link to click on from the NHS e-Referral service. This will come from ‘NHS Referrals’. Select the link provided in the email which will either open the NHS App or NHS website (depending on the device). If you haven’t registered for online services we will text you from the practice. Please download and read this information and keep it safe. It tells you when you should hear from the hospital and what to do if you have not heard from them within a reasonable time. You can also manage your referral via the NHS App.
Expedite Letters
We are all aware that the health service is under pressure. As hospital waiting lists have increased, they sometimes ask patients to ask their GP to send a letter to expedite (speed up) their out-patient appointment. Whilst we appreciate that patients are waiting for further treatment, your GP will not send a letter asking for your appointment to be speeded up, unless there is a significant change to your symptoms.
Tests & Investigations
All tests and investigations required by a specialist must be ordered by them. The instructions and appointments should be sent to you directly, including advice about any action or follow-up required.
If a specialist requires blood tests or other tests, they should make the request electronically and either print and give you a test request form or tell you how and where to make an appointment for these tests which can often be at a community clinic e.g. at Chapel Road or Altrincham Hospital.
Results of Tests & Investigations
The specialist who has ordered the test(s) is responsible for informing you of the results of the test and acting on these results.
If you haven’t heard from the specialist about the results of a test they ordered, you should ring the number given to you by them or contact their secretary.
Prescriptions
If a specialist prescribes a new medication or changes one of your medications, please ask them to provide you with the first prescription. This may be on a white prescription form that should be taken to the hospital pharmacy (only) or on a green prescription form, that should be taken to your usual community pharmacy.
The specialist will always write to your GP after you have been seen. If your medication has been changed by the specialist, they will ask your GP to continue prescribing any repeat medication for you. Once we receive their letter, your GP will usually make any changes to your list of repeat medication. You should be able to see any medication changes if you use the NHS app or other online service. You can order the new, repeat medication(s) in the usual way. Sometimes, however, your GP may feel they cannot safely prescribe the new item (taking into account your medical history for example) or they may need the specialist to provide a ‘shared care agreement’, first. We will tell you if there is likely to be some delay in making changes to your medication. If your medication is being changed, please ask the specialist to explain full details of the changes, at that appointment, until you clearly understand the change(s).
Fit note (Med3)
If you need a sick note as you are unfit for work for a week or more (as a result of the treatment provided by the specialist), please ask for one. The specialist should issue a fit note (Med3) before you leave the hospital or clinic. You do not need a fit note (Med3) if you are off sick for one week or less, because you can self-certify by completing a form SC2 and giving this to your employer.
Follow Up Appointments
If you need to be seen again by the specialist, the hospital or clinic will make you another appointment. Please ask the specialist when your next appointment will be and when you will receive this appointment. If you do not receive the follow up appointment as expected, please contact the specialist’s secretary.
SUMMARY
Once your GP has referred you, specialist services are responsible for:
- Arranging an appointment for you, based on the referral information given by your GP
- Ordering and arranging any tests needed
- Checking the test results, acting on those results and informing you about them
- Providing the first prescription for any medication they have started or changed
- Issuing a fit note, should you need one, for the condition they are treating
- Providing you with a follow up appointment if necessary
Useful Patient Booking Numbers
Wythenshawe Hospital: 0161 291 5120
Trafford General Hospital: 0161 934 8601
Saint Mary’s Hospital: 0161 276 6280
Salford Royal Hospital: 0161 206 4100
Manchester Royal Infirmary: 0161 276 1234
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital: 0161 276 1234
Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital: 0161 701 9501
Trafford Musculo-skeletal (MSK) Service: 0300 323 0303
Wrightington Hospital: 0300 555 4567