Referrals

Referrals to Secondary Care

The government has advertised extensively that patients have choice about where they have their hospital treatment. We applaud the desire to provide the best possible service for the convenience of patients. In our experience, patients mainly want to be treated in hospitals that are local to their homes, as soon as is practicable, and within a caring and high quality health environment. 

Once the doctor has indicated that a referral is appropriate, he/she will inform the patient that a choice of hospitals or clinics is available. At that point, the patient can decide where they would like to go for treatment.

Patients should call the booking centre to make an appointment convenient to them. Alternatively a booking can be made over the internet. 

The system is designed to give patients flexibility about when and where they are treated. 

Click on the link below to read more.

Shared Care Agreements

You may prefer to be referred to a private provider (or in some cases be eligible for an NHS referral to a private provider). If this is the case, please be aware that there is no automatic shared care arrangement in place for follow up, prescribing, etc.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust Update
 
An increase in the number of people being referred to specialist hospital care, coupled with the ​continued significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on NHS services, has meant that some people are having to wait longer than we would like for an appointment or treatment and we know that it can be difficult for those who find themselves in this position. We would like to assure you that your health and well-being are important to us and despite the additional pressure on NHS GP’s and hospitals, we are doing all we can to ensure those people who need our help are seen as soon as possible.  
 
We know it is important that you have a realistic idea of when you will be seen and the My Planned Care website provides information on current hospital waiting times for many specialities provided by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. Due to the current situation, it is important that we prioritise treatment for those people who have greater clinical need as determined by hospital specialists, rather than prioritising those who have waited the longest. We know this isn’t ideal for those people who have been waiting some time, but we hope you understand that we must prioritise people with severe medical conditions that require urgent treatment.    
 
 If your clinical condition has not changed, please do not contact the hospital or your GP Surgery to try to bring your appointment forward as they will be unable to alter your waiting time or position on the waiting list, and it may contribute to further delays.  

a laptop computer sitting on top of a table