What happens next?
Your GP will write a referral letter if they think it is appropriate and send it to the Consultant that you have specified, this will include any relevant medical details about you. [If an insurance company wishes for a specific form to be completed you will be charged for this additional work]. You should contact the Consultants team directly to organise an appointment. Should there be any appointment issues in the future, you should contact them directly.
What happens if I need a test or procedure?
If the Consultant thinks that you need any tests (including blood tests), or a surgical procedure, the Consultant is responsible for:
- Arranging the test and any medications that might be needed for this as well as explaining how and when you will receive a date and what to do if the date is not suitable for you.
- Giving you the results and explaining what they mean (this may be done in a separate appointment with the Consultant or by letter).
You should not visit your GP surgery to discuss the results of tests organised by others, it is the consultant’s responsibility to discuss this with you.
What happens if I need new medicines?
The Consultant might suggest prescribing new medicines for you or might want to make changes to the medicines that you are already taking. The Consultant is responsible for giving you the first prescription for any new medicine that you need to start taking straight away. In some cases, your GP may be able to continue to prescribe these medications. The GP will need to see a full clinic letter from the consultant outlining the reasons for treatment before deciding whether this might be appropriate. Wait at least seven days to allow this letter to arrive before contacting your GP. If a prescription is needed sooner than this, you should contact the Consultants’ team for them to prescribe (usually by their secretary). If you are uncertain about what changes the specialist is making, please ask them to explain it to you at the appointment.
What if I need a Fit Note (previously known as Sick Note)?
The Consultant is responsible for issuing you with a Fit Note, this includes after operations. The Fit Note should cover the period they expect you to be unfit to work, or until your next contact with the Consultant.
You should not need to see your GP to get a Fit Note following hospital treatment unless your inability to work is unexpectedly prolonged.
What if I need a follow-up appointment?
If you do need to be seen again, the hospital will give you another appointment or tell you when to expect this. If you do not hear anything,
please contact the Consultant’s office rather than your GP surgery. If you miss an appointment, this will need to be rearranged with the hospital team.
What do I do if I have any questions?
If you have any specific questions related to your care, you should contact the Consultants team directly, it is important that you make sure you know how you can contact your consultant’s office.
In Summary, the specialists are responsible for
- Looking after all your tests, including appointments and managing the results
- Providing prescriptions when needed
- Issuing a sick note if required
- Providing you with a follow-up appointment if necessary