NHS lost referral

[Mumofsend]

Peadiatric nurse and GP co-completed a referral for DS to a specialist service. Completed and submitted May 2021.

For whatever reason when I chased up September time I was assured it was received and awaiting allocation.

Re-chased up recently to be told bluntly they never received a referral.

None of the three parties (GP, nurse nor service) want to know and are essentially shrugging their shoulders.

AIBU to think someone must be responsible? And that regardless of responsibility it is a young child so someone needs to fast-track him once I finally get a new referral sent?

We're having a similar issue with DD and cardiology. She's got a mitral valve prolapse that was diagnosed 5 years ago, but apparently she missed an appointment for a check up ( she didn't we have never ignored medical appointments) so they've thrown her off the list.

GP won't refer her back as she's not having symptoms, and PALS were unable to help saying the decision was with the Cardiologist. I've asked for copies of the letter she was sent but had nothing back. It's making me really stressed.

Loads of appointments got lost over covid.@Badger1970 you should speak to your cardiologists secretary too find out whether hey still want to see you.Failing that, PALS as you say. It is a hospital problem and after all this length of time the cons might say no need for formal follow up or might want some other regime.
@Mumofsend as far as your referral is concerned you should try PALS and if no luck your GP will have to re refer.

It's not quite as simple as just asking for a fresh referral. The referral needed several weeks worth of paperwork attached to it, evidence from different practitioners and a physical examination. I've had it confirmed the original referral is on his medical records and submitted. The service just didn't receive them, nor will they prioritise a new referral anyway and ifs potentially another year long wait once it's submitted.

I'm so frustrated.

That's bad. I understand referrals get lost but for them to tell you in the first instance that they'd received it, should have meant its been uploaded to their system. Most NHS trusts use computer files now. So how come it's not on their system now? Definitely go to PALS

I understand your frustration; a copy of original paperwork can go as the 'new' referral so shouldn't need completing again. Clearly it is unacceptable.Again is there some sort of secretarial person that can help?

I used to work in patient access and this happens a lot. If the GP resents the original referral with the original date on, your child’s referral will be open again from that original date, ie you won’t go to the back of the queue. Get a copy of the referral and send it yourself if your GP won’t. The wait time is probably a long time regardless but at least you won’t be at the back of the queue.

hope that helps x

Go through PALS at the hospital. This is what they're there for. They will most likely be able to get you an earlier appointment.

Well it's the person who told you it had been received. I hope you got their name and time of call so they can be asked why they said that, then go from there.

Flat our liars, we need to record everything down so we can hold people to account.