Here at the surgery, we are committed to referring patients who need urgent assessments. These could include assessment for a possible cancer or for review by a cardiologist or a member of the orthopaedic team etc.
To explain the process, GPs/ANPs (Advance Nurse Practitioners) typically prepare their referrals on the day that they see the patient, and these are forwarded to the medical secretaries who aim to prepare and submit the supporting information within 2 days.
The medical secretaries send the referrals through a referral pathway called Devon Referral Support Services (DRSS) . At this point they are triaged by a relevant hospital consultant and this review process can take up to 10 days. During this period the surgery does NOT have access to the DRSS system.
Whilst cancer referrals are typically processed within 2 weeks, other referrals can take weeks, even months/years. For the latest NHS waiting times click here.
If you have not heard from the hospital after 14 days from being seen by a GP / ANP, you can call the relevant hospital department directly to chase it up. The number for the Derriford switchboard is 01752 20 20 82.
Unfortunately, we only receive an update once you have been seen by the appropriate department. However, if you call, and there is not a record of the referral, then please call us and ask to speak to a medical secretary.
