Work references not responding?

[Saltandpepperchipss]

Due to start my new role next week within the NHS and my previous NHS employer isn’t responding. Every time I contact them they say it’s with ESR and there’s nothing they can do to speed it up.

im worried im going to loose out on this opportunity if they don’t respond. Any ideas on what I can do?

Assuming you aren't in a regulated area of work, they don't have to provide references at all, so there's little anyone can do. If it's regulated, the potential new employer probably has more influence than you would