My wife saw the doctor on 7th of March and she was referred to see a specialist (at this point id rather not say what its for)

No sign of any letter or call with a date, so today I phoned the hospitals central appointments line they have no record of any referral ! I phoned the GP’s they swear blind they sent it ! Long and short of it I have been told to call at 9am (Tuesday) to speak to the secretary at the GP’s who I’m sure will also swear blind it was sent…

I don’t want to play games with either party we just want our appointment.

Its 2013 and they still fax referrals is this the norm ?

If it gets resent we will now be 2/3 weeks behind to get the appointment that should have been in the next few days !

Any advice on how to speed process up !

Thanks in advance 😥

Pick up and deliver it in person, job done.

as crazy as that sounds I bet they wouldn’t let you !

Is there not a deadline by which you must be seen after the GP visit? I’d be arguing that you don’t care who lost it or if it was even sent just that they pull there finger out and get you a quick appointment.

Is there not a deadline by which you must be seen after the GP visit? I’d be arguing that you don’t care who lost it or if it was even sent just that they pull there finger out and get you a quick appointment.

Sadly I think the clock only starts ticking when the referral letter is received by the hospital or the patient uses choose and book to book an appointment.

I’m assuming (and hoping) that something more serious, such as cancer or heart disease, isn’t suspected here, in which case the maximum is 2 weeks.

good luck! Mr MC fell of bike and severely injured arm DR’s at A&E in North Wales said ruptured tricep tendon needed surgery within 4 weeks, return to local A&E with discs of X-rays nope they start again, then refer to fracture clinic the following week, who then say “why are you here?” refer him to specialist clinic week later, requires ultra sound “oh we cna’t get in you in 2 weeks due to annual leave and it’s the summer holidays” eventually get ultra sound .. Dr reviews it “Oh shi** you need surgery within 4 weeks ..that runs out tomorrow”. Well done (claps hands) that what I was trying to tell you from the start, it wasn’t just any minion we saw in North Wales it was Consultant who took it to uber specialist on call Consultant as he was so worried.

so no surprise they didn’t write, request or fax off relvant referral for wife, be polite but firm in stomping your feet to get it all moving! Good luck.

Pick up and deliver it in person, job done.

That won’t be possible.

Someone at some point has screwed up, human error, laziness, forgetfulness, whatever the reason you’re not really likely to get to the bottom of whether it was sent and misplaced or not sent in the first place unless the GP keeps a record of delivery receipts from the fax. I wouldn’t push it any further than asking for that. The important bit is to make sure you get your wife seen by the right person as soon as possible

The problem with getting an earlier appointment is that the specialist is unlikely to have any earlier appointments available. If they work to a lead time of 3 weeks then it’s likely that the next available appointment will be in three weeks time. One thing that might be worth trying is contacting the specialists secretary (or whoever deals with making the appointments) explaining the situation and ask if there have been any cancellations or if they can keep a note of your number in case they are any.

One thing that might be worth trying is contacting the specialists secretary (or whoever deals with making the appointments) explaining the situation and ask if there have been any cancellations or if they can keep a note of your number in case they are any.

I was about to post this as practical advice. Charm offensive on the consultant’s secretary, explaining the situation, asking if there are any free appointments.

You may get one who insists you wait, you may get someone who will help you out.

I know it doesn’t help the situation but here in Bolton/Lancashire area, the majority of our referrals are done on a computerised system which goes straight through.

We also have a thing called Greater Manchester Cats which is usually a two week referral to see a consultant and then in my case when I had a Hernia, I chose a Hospital and had surgery within two weeks.

See if your GP offers this service. http://www.greater-manchester-cats.com/index.php?page=available-treatments

happened to me not once, not twice, but four times a few months ago

👿

I wasn’t trying to be a tool, I picked a letter up from my GP, but it was just for referral to a physio so maybe that process is easier.

I honestly think the NHS could be saved with a bit of practicality.

all sorted ! Few calls and a bit of explaining and appointment for beginning of April

calm and collective wins the day !