Referrals
What is a Referral?
It’s the process that happens when your doctor or nurse feels that you would benefit from a specialist opinion. A referral can only be made after you have consulted a doctor or nurse. There are several different areas to we can refer to.
Primary Care Referrals
This is when you’re referred to community based environment. Examples include the community diabetic team, and the antenatal referral.
Secondary Care Referrals
This is when you’re referred to hospital.
Emergency Referrals (QED / 2 Week Wait)
If the clinician feels that your problem is urgent, you’ll be referred to the Quick and Early Diagnosis team (QED). This QED team aims to review patients within two weeks (2WW).
More information regarding your 2ww referral please read: QED Urgent Referral Patient Info Leaflet and Patient Letter 2WW Referrals (COVID-19)
For referrals via the Rapid Diagnostic Service please read: RDS Patient information leaflet GP.pdf
My Planned Care:
Helpful information & guidance whilst waiting for your hospital consultation, treatment or surgery
This includes giving you information about waiting times at your hospital and other supporting and local services while you wait.
This site is updated weekly and can be viewed by anyone, which means you, your family or carer as well as your NHS team can all see the latest information.
Your hospital team will be in touch with you as soon as they can. If you are looking for an update, please check this website before contacting your hospital or GP.
https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/
If you have a question about a recent referral you can contact our Admin Team Here
NHS e-Referral (Choose and Book)
If you have been referred for a Choose and Book Appointment you will have been given or sent the paperwork with the appointment details or with the details to book the appointment yourself.
Please contact the appointment bookings, the details are on section 2 of the paperwork. You will need to give details of both your reference number and password. You should then be able to arrange an appointment at your convenience at your chosen hospital.
If you have not heard from the hospital with an appointment, please contact the hospital directly quoting your reference number and password. Please see the direct telephone numbers for the hospitals as below as they manage their own waiting lists.
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital 0121 371 7066
- Royal Orthopaedic Hospital 0121 685 4186
- Children’s Hospital 0121 333 9700
- Birmingham Treatment Centre 0121 507 4151
- Birmingham Eye Hospital 0121 507 6712
- Birmingham Women’s Hospital 0121 627 2786
- Solihull/Heartlands 0121 424 1234
Should you contact the e-referral service and there are no appointments available to book at your selected hospital, you will be put on that hospital waiting list for an appointment to be sent to you.
It is the hospital’s responsibility to ensure you receive an appointment. Please be assured that you are on the hospital waiting list and will be sent an appointment in due course.
To track your e-Referral you will need the following details to log into the e-Referral website:
- Your date of birth
- Reference number – this will be on your letter
- Password – this will be on your letter
Further information
Manual Referrals
If you’re referred manually as the service is not available on e-Referral, the service will write to you directly. Your letter will include your appointment date and time. If you haven’t had an appointment within six weeks? Please call the service’s appointment line.
If at this stage you do not receive an appointment please contact the practice for further advice.
Want to change or cancel your manual appointment? Then you’ll need to call the service provider’s appointment department. Their phone number will be on the letter you get.
Self Referrals
Most referrals to specialists will require you seeing a GP, however, there are some services locally that you are able to make self referrals to should you require them:
Physiotherapy Self-Referral – Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
Type 1 Diabetes - free, online resource with tailored support to help adults in England live well with their type 1 diabetes.
Drug & Alcohol Services – For Adults
Hearing Test – aged 55 years and over
Learning Disability Service – aged 19 years and over
Nail Care – charges will apply (non-NHS)
Speech & Language – 0-19 years