Referrals and Transport

 

When your doctor arranges for you to be referred on to a Consultant at the hospital, the majority of referrals are directed to the Referral Assessment Service (RAS), who will contact you shortly to offer you a choice of services appropriate for your condition.

 

It is possible that, at this stage, your GP is asking a consultant for specialist advice. In which case you may not need an appointment straight away and your GP will continue to treat you at the surgery.

 

What Happens Next?

 

Please make sure that your GP practice has your most up-to-date contact details.

 

You wil be contacted by telephone and given a choice of appointment options.  If the RAS Team cannot contact you by telephone, you will receive a letter asking you to contact them. If you have any difficulties using the telephone or using emails, please ask your GP Practice to assist you.

 

If you are not contacted within 7 days, please contact the Referral Assessment Service Team on :

 

01743 277547 (Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm)

 

or by Email on:  myreferral@nhs.net

 

 

How and When Do I Receive My Appointment

 

Once the Referral Assessment Service have discussed with you which hospital you wish to go to, you will either be offered an appointment straight away or else (if there are no slots to offer you straight away) your referral will be sent on to the hospital you wish to go to.

 

Depending on the availability of appointments at the hospital of your choice, you may well be placed on a waiting list for an appointment.  From this point on, if you have any queries about when your appointment is likely to be, you need to ring the Outpatient Department of your chosen hospital.

 

Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Outpatients:   01743 261044

 

Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital: 01691 404000 (and ask for Appointments Department Choose & Book)

 

Princess Royal Hospital Outpatients:  01952 282810

 

 

FAQ's

 

For a link to a selection of various other common questions regarding the Referral Assessment Service and the referral process in general, please click here for a very helpful information page produced by the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. 

 

<< Booking and Appointments  - Frequently Asked Questions >>

 

 

Patient Transport

 

Normally patients are expected to make their own arrangements for travelling to and from healthcare premises. However, the NHS does have some resources for patient transport which are only for those patients who have a medical need that prevents them using private or public transport. This transport is not for social or financial reasons.

 

Patients experiencing mobility difficulties or who are temporarily incapacitated so that it affects their ability to drive or be driven may be eligible for Patient Transport. Patients requiring transport to and from Hospital appointments, should arrange it by contacting Patient First on 01743-465565.

 

Ideally Patient First needs at least 48 hours notice to book, change or cancel your transport but if your out patient appointment changes do contact them as soon as possible, even if this is the morning of your appointment as they may be able to offer your time slot to another patient.