If you require information on your referral or would like help with booking your appointment to the hospital, please call Central Referral Service on 0300 123 0771 – the service is open Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm. Please note this is not for radiology requests.
CRS can check your referral status but please be aware it usually takes 3 days from receipt of your GP referral before your hospital request letter is available and an appointment can be made.
You should receive your letter about arranging your hospital appointment within 2 weeks of being referred by your GP. The team are unable to help you with x-ray, physiotherapy and Diagnostic referrals.
NHS My Planned Care
My Planned Care gives you advice and support while you wait and helps you to prepare 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.
Visit the NHS My Planned Care website here
Alternative Choice Initiative
As reported in national news, patients who have been waiting over 40 weeks for treatment and do not have an appointment date within the next 8 weeks, could be eligible to request to move to a different hospital to be treated sooner.
This national alternative choice initiative is also known as the Patient Initiated Digital Mutual Aid System (PIDMAS) that went live on Tuesday 31st October 2023.
For mid and south Essex around 10,400 patients will be contacted by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) to ask if they would like to consider moving hospital to receive earlier treatment.
DNA Letters
In line with the Trust Access Policy patients will be discharged if they fail to attend ONE new appointment or TWO follow up appointment.
The decision to DNA a patient is made by the reviewing clinician, no administrative teams and will only happen if :
- The appointment was clearly communicated
- The patient is not considered vulnerable
- The patient is not on a 2ww pathway.
If you receive a letter and are unhappy about being discharged, please contact the number on the top of your DNA letter.
The phone number is for the relevant hospital department.
Radiology
For all radiology requests (x-rays, ultrasounds and scans) please do not call the CRS telephone number as they will not be able to help you.
Please telephone 01245 514301
Queries
If you have a query about any existing appointment please email:
ADHD Referrals
For all ADHD referrals please do not contact the surgery as they will not be able to help you.
Please telephone EPUT 01245 315880.
Please be aware that due to an overwhelming demand for this service the waiting list is in excess of 12 months.
ASD Referrals
For all ASD (autism) please contact Psychiatry UK on 0330 124 1980
Again, due to an overwhelming demand for this service the waiting list is in excess of 12 months.
