Your referral

If we have referred you to hospital, here is what happens next and who to contact.

What happens after we refer you

1. We send the referral to the hospital, usually the same week.
2. The hospital decides how urgent it is and adds you to a waiting list.
3. The hospital sends your appointment by letter or text. This can take months.

If you have not heard anything

For a first appointment, ring 01942 264910. This is the hospital's own booking line, and they can see your referral. You do not need to ring us first.

If you have already been seen once, contact the secretary of the department that is treating you. The letter you were sent will have their number.

Waiting times

You can check average waits for your hospital and specialty onNHS My Planned Care.

When to contact us instead

Ring us if:

• your symptoms have changed significantly since we referred you, or
• you have been waiting a long time and your GP needs to review whether the referral is still right.

If your symptoms get much worse while you wait, do not wait for the appointment. Use NHS 111 or call us.

Changing or cancelling

You can change hospital before you are seen. Tell the hospital booking line, or ask us to send a new referral. If you cannot attend an appointment, tell the hospital straight away so it can go to someone else.

Help while you wait

While You Wait lists organisations that can help with practical and emotional support during a wait. If you are struggling, tell us and we will see what local support is available.