If you have been referred to hospital for treatment, you may feel that your symptoms are worse or that you need to be seen quicker. Once we have sent a referral to Secondary care, the specialists at the hospital then review the referral and determine the clinical urgency of the referral with the information provided.
The Practice receives many enquiries requesting that we write a letter to chase up or expedite a hospital appointment / operation. We are aware that this sometimes occurs because patients are told by a specialist’s secretary to get a letter from their GP so that their appointment can be brought forward. This advice is not correct.
If you are experiencing worsening of your symptoms, we advise you to contact your specialist’s secretary directly so they can assess your condition and make the necessary arrangements to expedite your appointment if appropriate. Only the hospital can compare your needs with those of other patients on their waiting list and they will action your request accordingly.
If you have difficulty in accessing your specialist, we advise you to contact the hospital Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) for assistance. The Wye Valley Trust PALS Team can be contacted on 01432 372986 or at pals@wvt.nhs.uk.
If the hospital are insistent that they require a letter, we suggest you copy the templated letter below, completing your details along with your reason for contacting them. You should post your letter to either Outpatient Appointments (for first letter appointments) or your consultant’s secretary (for follow-up care).