Referring your Patient

Quick Referral Guide

• Step 1: You identify the need for referral

  You (the referrer) identify the need for your patient to have a scan or test, and select your preferred means of referral from the selection on the right.

• Step 2: You complete the referral form

  You complete the appropriate referral form and send to the Patient Referral Centre (PRC) by post, fax, email as detailed on the referral form. PRC acknowledges receipt of referral to you within 1 working day.

  If the referral data is incomplete the PRC will contact you within 24 hrs of receiving the referral. If the missing information is not received within 72 hrs your patient is removed from the system and you will be notified.

• Step 3: We arrange the appointment

  The PRC will contact the patient within 2 working days to book an appointment within 13 working days from the referral date. If more convenient to the patient, they can contact the PRC to arrange their appointment. The patient will be offered 3 different appointment times, dates and locations.

  If a patient is contacted and cannot attend within the 10 day period the PRC will request, where possible, an extension. If no appointment date is agreed, the patient is removed from the system and you will be notified within 4 working days.

• Step 4: The appointment takes place

  Details of the appointment are posted to the patient with directions and patient information leaflets within 2 working days. The patient attends their appointment.

  Patients are reminded by telephone or text message 72 hrs and 48 hrs prior to the appointment. The diagnostic test must start within 30 minutes of the agreed appointment time. If a patient DNA's you will be advised within 24hrs. We will make 3 attempts to contact the patient over 2 working days to rearrange the appointment. If the patient DNA's 3 times the patient will be removed from the system and you will be notified.

• Step 5: You receive the electronic report

  You will receive the electronic report within 2 working days following your patient's appointment, or hard copy within 4 working days.

  If findings are 'non-urgent medical' with a recommendation for onward referral, the referrer must request a CD of the images by telephoning the number on the report form. This will be sent by Recorded Delivery.

  If findings are 'urgent medical' (e.g. brain abscess) a CD of the images will be automatically posted.