What is a referral?
A referral is when your GP would like you to see a hospital doctor or specialist urgently so any symptoms you have can be investigated further, for example you might be invited for some tests to find out what is wrong.
If you are referred your doctor will explain the process to you, including details about where you have been referred and how to find out more about your appointment.
Download a leaflet about what to expect when you are referred.
Your referral
Almost all referrals sent by St Mary’s Surgery go to a hospital assessment service and then the hospital you are referred to will contact you directly. There are a few exceptions to this and in these instances the surgery will inform you.
We would expect you to be contacted by the hospital within 4 weeks. When you receive a confirmed appointment, you should plan to attend as per the details in your notification.
If you have been referred by your GP or are waiting for:
- An outpatient appointment
- An appointment for hospital tests (eg scans)
- A date for an operation or other treatment
- A follow-up from your hospital team
and you have a query about what is happening, please contact the hospital directly or visit the NHS planned care website.
- Addenbrooke’s Hospital – 01223 274593
- Hinchingbrooke Hospital – 01480 416416
- The Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely continues to NOT take any referrals at this time.
Please DO NOT ring the surgery about your hospital referral.
Patients should note: The hospital will also contact you if the appointment needs to be changed to a telephone or video consultation instead of face-to-face at the clinic, or if the appointment needs to be rearranged.
It is very important that you attend your appointment. If for any reason you are unable to attend, then please let the hospital know so that they can either cancel or rearrange for you. Please DO NOT contact the surgery to cancel or change your hospital appointment as we do not have access to hospital lists.
Waiting times
The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the strain on all NHS services. As a result of this, waiting list times for outpatient and specialist appointments and procedures have increased for everybody.
We appreciate that this can cause worry and uncertainty about when you will eventually receive an appointment but please be aware the surgery has no direct access to the hospital appointment lists.
Page updated: 13.6.22