We understand that waiting for a hospital appointment or procedure can be frustrating and worrying. Unfortunately, due to increased demand across NHS services, waiting times are currently longer than usual.
Who decides when I am seen?
Once your GP has referred you to a hospital specialist, your referral is reviewed by the hospital consultant team. Appointments are prioritised according to clinical need, and your GP practice has no control over when appointments are offered or procedures are scheduled.
What should I do if I am waiting a long time?
If you are concerned about delays, we recommend contacting the hospital directly:
- For a follow-up appointment, contact your consultant's secretary.
- If you are waiting for your first appointment, contact the hospital's outpatient booking department first, then the consultant's secretary if needed.
- If you are unable to get an update, please contact the hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). Contact details can be found on the hospital's website.
Can my GP write a letter to speed up my appointment?
Patients are sometimes advised by hospital staff to ask their GP for a letter requesting that their appointment be brought forward.
However, please be aware that a long wait alone does not mean that a referral can be classed as urgent. As the hospital specialist team is responsible for prioritising appointments based on clinical need, we are generally unable to provide letters requesting that appointments or procedures be expedited.
What if my symptoms are getting worse?
If your condition has changed or your symptoms have worsened since your referral, it is important that the specialist team is made aware. Please contact your consultant's secretary or specialist department directly so they can review your situation and decide whether your appointment needs to be prioritised.
If you are struggling to contact your consultant's team, the hospital's PALS service may be able to help.
If the hospital specifically requests a letter
If the hospital insists that a supporting letter is required, we recommend using the patient template letters provided below. In many cases, requests for earlier appointments are most effective when they come directly from the patient and explain how the delay is affecting them personally.