What is an urgent referral?
If your GP has arranged for you to have tests or to see a hospital doctor (specialist) urgently, this may be to investigate your symptoms further. You might have some tests to find out what is wrong and whether or not it could be cancer.
How quickly will I be seen?
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, you may have to wait longer for your appointment. Some of the UK nations have targets around how quickly you would normally be seen, but there may be delays at this time.
In England, an urgent referral means that you should see a specialist within 2 weeks.
Please contact 01925 662744 if you have not heard about your referral in 2 weeks
Does this mean I have cancer?
It is normal to worry when you are urgently referred to see a specialist by your GP. However, more than 9 in every 10 people (90%) referred this way will not be diagnosed with cancer.
Please see links below for more useful information:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-symptoms/what-is-an-urgent-referral https://publications.cancerresearchuk.org/publication/your-urgent-referral-explained
My Planned Care
https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/nwest/
My Planned Care gives you advice and support while you wait and helps you to prepare for your hospital consultation, treatment, or surgery. This includes giving you information about waiting times at your hospital and other supporting and local services while you wait.
This site is updated weekly and can be viewed by anyone, which means you, your family or carer as well as your NHS team can all see the latest information.
Your hospital team will be in touch with you as soon as they can. If you are looking for an update, please check this website before contacting your hospital or GP.
Right to Choose and ADHD/ASD Assessment Referrals – Information for Parents and Schools
We understand that families want timely access to assessments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, it is important to clarify how referrals should be made according to local pathways and national NHS guidance.
Local Referral Pathway – Warrington ICB-In Warrington, the recommended referral route for ADHD and ASD assessments for children is via the Child Development Centre (CDC), managed by Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Who should refer?
Schools (including SENCos), nurseries, and other allied health professionals (e.g. speech and language therapists, CAMHS) are the appropriate referrers.
GPs do not routinely refer for these assessments. GP referrals may only be considered if the child is not in school or nursery, or there is another exceptional clinical reason.
CDC Assessment Process
Once a referral is accepted by the CDC, a full, multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental assessment is carried out. This may include Qb testing, speech and language assessment, and paediatric review. Feedback is provided to families via written reports or clinic appointments.
Right to Choose – Key Points
While families may have heard of the NHS Right to Choose, which allows patients to select an alternative provider for a first outpatient appointment, this still requires:
The GP to agree that a referral is clinically appropriate.
A provider who is commissioned by the NHS and meets contract requirements.
GPs are not legally required to agree to this and may decline if it is not in line with local commissioning or practice policy.
Shared Care and Prescribing
Some private or external providers expect GPs to prescribe medication following a diagnosis.
Please note that we do not enter into shared care agreements for children and will not prescribe ADHD medication under any circumstances.
Key Recommendation for Families and Schools
Schools and SENCos are expected to lead on ADHD and ASD referrals by gathering supporting information and sending referrals to the local CDC.
Families should discuss concerns with the school first and ensure all information is provided to support the referral.
GPs will provide medical support if there is no other route or an urgent clinical need.
Further Support
We appreciate the importance of these assessments and remain committed to working with families and schools to help children access the right support. If you need help navigating this process, please speak with your school SENCo in the first instance.
References:
Warrington Neurodevelopment Pathway (Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
Right to Choose: NHS Constitution and local commissioning guidance