If you need to chase up a referral through your GP what do you do?

[HelpMeHaveAVoice]

My GP said he would refer me for ADHD about 5 months ago. He gave me a list of providers to chose from and I chose one that had a current wait list of three months. Since it's been 5 months I'm doubting whether he has done it.

Do I ring up at 8am to make a normal app to ask him about it. Or do I talk to receptionist about it or something else? I've been procrastinating about chasing it up and I think that's party because I'm don't know how.

Thank you

Just ring the practice. One of the admin staff will be able to chase the referral up for you.

Why don't you ring up the provider? You can ask if you are on the waiting list, and how long to expect until your appointment.

@StewardsEnquiry it says all over their website not to do that.

Talk to reception.

This is admin rather than medical and they can check if it has been sent.

Reception or admin staff will be able to tell you.

I would also ring the provider, even if it says not to., especially as you’re almost past double their waiting list.

There’s a specific team at our practice that do this. So I ring them directly, in fact I’ve got to do it today. I only know this because I called and asked reception on a previous occasion. They don’t advertise it on the website for the practice for some reason. So I’d say reception is your first step.

E consult should have an option for admin? I tend to do that instead of calling for admin stuff

call reception and ask. They should be happy to help you.

but also - unfortunately wait times for ADHD referral are very long currently so you may have been referred but still be waiting (but don’t use this as an excuse to procrastinate and not check with reception!)

What do you mean by e consult?

Certainly call Reception. I did this a few weeks ago, having heard nothing around 14 weeks after the GP agreed to make the referral. After quite a long wait they came back and told me that, as it happened, the doctor had done the referral just that day. Amazing coincidence, that. 🙄

I recommend the NHS app which keeps a record of all your appointments, prescriptions and (usually) !ets you contact your GP.

I've got the app, I love it for repeat prescriptions but it doesn't let me contact GP or make appointments on it. Or have any info on referals

Wait lists are 5 years here for ADHD. I would give it a couple of months.

For my gp surgery, the e-consult is on their website. I usually do a google search for e-consult and ‘surgery name’ to find it. Basically, it’s an online form.

This is through right to choose. They don't even have an NHS pathway to refer to in this area. 🤯

Ask to speak to the secretary

I rang today, the receptionist tried to check on her side but couldn't find anything. She was about to book a phone app with the GP for me for next week, but then asked me what the referral was for and she said there's a specific receptionist who deals with that and she's in tomorrow so I will call back then.

Thanks so much everyone. I know it's such a basic thing I'm asking but I have so much resistance and shame about persuing it, that having it spelt out to me really helps.