If You’re Waiting for a Hospital Appointment (Referral to Secondary Care)
We know it can be worrying to wait for a hospital appointment after your GP has referred you. Sometimes people feel their symptoms are getting worse or that they need to be seen sooner.
Here’s what you need to know about how hospital referrals and appointment requests work:
If you haven’t had your first hospital appointment yet
- Your GP practice is responsible for asking the hospital to speed up your appointment if there are medical (clinical) reasons to do so.
- If your symptoms have changed or gotten worse, please contact us. A clinician will review your situation and decide whether we can request an earlier appointment for you.
- If there aren’t any new medical reasons, we’re not able to ask the hospital to bring your appointment forward.
- In that case, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital. PALS can help with questions about waiting times and other non-clinical issues.
If you’ve already seen the hospital team
- Once you’ve had your first appointment at the hospital, you’re under the care of their team.
- If you’re worried your condition is getting worse or that you need to be seen sooner, please contact your hospital team directly. They can review your case and decide whether to bring your follow-up appointment forward.
In summary
- Before your first hospital appointment: Contact your GP practice if your condition changes or gets worse.
- After your first hospital appointment: Contact your hospital team if you feel you need to be seen sooner.
- If your condition hasn’t changed but you’re worried about the wait: Contact PALS at the hospital for advice.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Contact Details
University Hospitals Plymouth – Call 01752 439884, or email plh-tr.PALS@nhs.net
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust – Call 01872 252793, or email rcht.patientexperience@nhs.net