REferral to community paediatrics - how long to wait for appointment letter

[Dittomark]

Hi My DD was referred to community paediatrics just over a month ago for ASD assessment. I've still not received an appointment letter.

How long do these things normally take?

I'm worried because we've moving how in a month's time and I don't want to miss the letter because it's gone to our old address. Do I need to chase with GP?

We're moving out in a months time

I would phone the GP's secretary and ask them to confirm the referral has been sent. Ask them for the paed contact number .Once you know for sure the referral has been sent contact the community paed and explain the situation.
Waiting times vary, we got an appointment 5 weeks after referral but I think that's unusually quick.

We had to wait 18 weeks from SALT referral to seeing the community paed - I assume that it comes under the 18 week pathway in out NHS Trust (maximum time to access consultant led care). But our local area has huge backlogs so you could get your appointment earlier. We then had to wait over six months for the actual assessment - so 10 months from referral.

When you say moving out - do you mean moving to a different NHS area? If this is the case then you will have to get a referral in your new area.

I always ring the department that the referral is going to to ask if they have received it.

I also ask if I can be given a cancellation appointment at short notice if one comes up.

Dd3 has jumped waiting lists a couple of times by doing this but you either need to be at home or have an understanding boss

Good luck

No I'm moving in the same area.

I was expecting a long wait for an actual appointment because the school warned me about the long waiting lists. But would have expected at least a letter by now.

I don't have phone number for the department, I'm not even sure where they're based. GP just said "community paediatrics".

Will try ringing the GP for clarification...

If you are moving within the same area, then get your post re-directed and there shouldn't be a problem. I think we only get our appointment letters four weeks in advance - so it could be some time. The best thing to do is phone and complain - we did this and it cut our waiting time for assessment by 3-6 months.

I'm not sure I can get my post directed as we have 2 postal services here - royal mail and TNT. We get mail from both. No idea how they decide to split it, or if TNT would redirect it too.