Understanding your hospital referral
Page last reviewed: 05 January 2026
Page created: 05 January 2026
Page created: 05 January 2026
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● The Handover: Once our clinicians send the referral letter, the responsibility for your appointment moves entirely to the hospital. The practice effectively "posts the letter," and the hospital takes charge of delivery.
● No Access to Lists: Our practice does not have access to the hospital's appointment systems or waiting lists. We cannot see where you are on the list or speed up the process.
● Clinical Review: Hospital specialists review every referral to decide urgency. This means waiting times vary significantly from person to person based on clinical need.
● Notification: The hospital will contact you directly with your appointment details.
Please wait for the hospital to contact you. If you wish to check the progress of your referral, please use the NHS App link below. If you wish to ask about waiting times, click the link below or contact the hospital's appointments department directly, as our reception team does not have this information.
However, if your symptoms worsen, or you develop new concerns while you are waiting, let us know through the link below.
To check the progress of your referral, use the NHS App.
Tracking Your Referral and Waiting Times
To check average waiting times for your specific department or hospital, you can use the NHS "My Planned Care" website.