Due to the Covid19 Pandemic millions of outpatient appointments have been cancelled and delayed in the NHS.
When patient contact local hospitals to find out when they might be seen or if their symptoms and condition has worsened, they are often asked to contact their GP and request an 'expedite letter'. This is frustrating for you and the surgery as it rarely results in appointments being brought forward.
Furthermore, it is very difficult for a GP to measure to what extent your condition has worsened. We take your word for this, and the hospital should do the same. When making decisions about who to prioritise it is only possible for the hospital to compare your condition and needs against all the other patients on their waiting list.
Purton Surgery has created two letters for you to use if you want to inform the hospital of a change in your symptoms. Letter one is for patient waiting for a first appointment with a specialist. The second letter is for people waiting for a follow-up appointment, treatment, or operation.
Please download the template letter below, completing your details and explaining the change in your symptoms. Please complete the highlighted areas and return via email (purtonprescriptions@nhs.net) or drop the letter into the surgery:
Expedite Referral Letter
Expedite follow-up appointment