NHS e-Referral Tracking
If your Doctor has referred you to a Specialist for further care you will be asked to book your appointment using the ‘NHS e-Referral’ system. It’s fast, convenient and secure.
- The e-RS Manage Your Referral website is easy for patients to use. It allows them to book, check, change and cancel their appointments online
- Patients can take control and book their own appointment on a convenient date and time and at their preferred hospital or Clinic if there is a choice
- No more worried patients having to contact the Practice to find out what is happening with their appointment
You will normally receive a letter from us within 2 weeks giving details of how to book your appointment and any passwords you may need.
To track your e-Referral you will need the following details to log into the e-Referral website:
- Your date of birth
- Reference number – this will be on the first page of your letter
- Password – this will be on the second page of your letter
Referral to Hospital by your GP
You are entitled to ask for a referral for specialist treatment on the NHS. However, whether you will get the referral depends on what your GP feels is clinically necessary in your case.
If you wish to be referred to a Specialist in a particular field, such as a Surgeon or a Gynaecologist (a specialist in the female reproductive system), you should see the GP you are registered with. This is because all your medical records are held by that Practice. Your GP also generally understands your health history and treatments better than anyone and will base any decision for a specialist referral on this knowledge.
- When you attend your GP please give them details of all unavailability and if you would require an interpreter to be in attendance at your appointment
- Please ensure that all contact information is up to date
- Your GP will then send an electronic referral to the Hospital within your catchment area
- Referral is then processed by the Hospital
- You should be normally be appointed within 12 weeks, this maybe sooner if your Doctor has classed your referral as urgent – please do not contact the Practice before this time to check on the progress of your referral
- You can contact direct the Hospital Department that you have been referred to, if you have any concerns
- If you still have any questions about your referral then please contact the Practice
How do I choose a hospital if I am referred to a specialist?
If you and your GP decide that you need to see a specialist for further treatment, you can now choose where to have your treatment from a list of hospitals or clinics. Please discuss with your GP.
For further Information please visit: NHS website
You can also phone the NHS e-Referral Service line on 0345 6088888 (open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm and on weekends and bank holidays 8am to 4pm) for further help.
Patient Information leaflet: When seeing a specialist
Stop Smoking before your op
If you are due to have an operation, the sooner you stop smoking before it the better.
In addition to the general health risks associated with smoking, research has shown that smokers are also more likely to suffer complications during and following their operations. The Royal College of Anaesthetists advises smokers having operations to quit for several weeks before their operation in order to reduce the risk of breathing problems.
Some surgeons will not perform surgery on patients who smoke.
Support to stop smoking
NHS North Tyneside CCG has decided that anyone aged 18 or over who is to be referred for an operation and who is a smoker must have completed an 8-week smoking cessation course before being referred, where this is clinically relevant.
To access a course please ask at your GP practice, or call 0345 2000101 and say “NO SMOKE”,or text “NO SMOKE” and your postcode to 80800.
Patient information leaflet: Stop before your op