If your GP thinks that you require a specialists’ opinion, you will most likely be given the opportunity to “Choose and Book” your appointment. In this case you will be directed to a member of administration staff who will discuss and explain the system to you. You will be given the opportunity to choose the hospital you wish to go to, and the request will be transmitted via the internet. This will be done in your presence and in most cases you will be able to book your appointment at the same time. A printed information sheet will be handed to you and all details will be explained. You will also be given a leaflet which explains the system in full. If you are unable to book your appointment at this time, you will then be asked to phone a hospital number and you will then be able to negotiate your own hospital appointment. This is a very new system which may be updated from time to time.
At the moment there may be certain referrals that we are unable to send by the above method. In these cases, we will continue to send referral letters in the normal way, and the hospital or community service will contact you in due course with your appointment date.
If you wish to be referred for a private consultation, you must inform the doctor or nurse. They will then arrange for a letter to be prepared. It will then be necessary for you to collect the referral letter from the surgery. You must also telephone the appropriate hospital or clinic and arrange your own appointment. There will be a charge for any private referrals made from the surgery, please speak to reception for further information.