Referral from your doctor

If you and your doctor agree that you should be referred to secondary care for investigation or treatment you will be offered a choice of hospital. This will usually be done through  the Choose and Book computer system.

We  will assist you in this process to both choose a hospital and book and appointment.

If you require more information regarding the services that each hospital provides a booklet is available at the surgery or you can go to the NHS Choices website at http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx

If your appointment is not dealt with by the Choose and Book system  and you have not heard anything from the hospital within SIX weeks, then you may wish to telephone the hospital to check on progress with the booking clerk in the department you have been referred to.

Key numbers for hospitals

Lister Hospital          Stevenage                                                                            01438 314333

Addenbrooks            Cambridge                                                                            01223 245151

QE11                          Welwyn Garden City                                                           01707 328111

Pinehill                      Hitchin                                                                                   01462 422822

After your appointment at the hospital

Tests ordered by your hospital specialist are not sent to your GP but are usually discussed at a follow-up appointment at the hospital \ clinic. If you have any queries about hospital arranged tests please contact the secretary of your consultant’s secretary.

Once you have had your appointment, letters from the hospital may take a few weeks to get back to your Doctor.

If you need to see your GP again to discuss further treatment allow 4 weeks for the hospital to inform your doctor of the outcome. When booking an appointment you may choose to ask the receptionist if a letter has arrived to avoid a wasted trip.

Any follow up appointments at the hospital will be sent to you by the hospital. If you do not receive an appointment, please contact the booking clerk in the department you have been referred to, alternatively there may be more specific contact details on any previous correspondence that you have from them

 Complaints

If you are unhappy with the service that you are receiving you can call

Patient Advice and Liaison (PALS)          Lister Hospital                                   01438 784779