Referrals

What happens once your GP or nurse has confirmed a referral to a consultant or specialist is required?

A referral letter will be dictated or a pro-forma completed by your GP (or nurse) and then forwarded to the Referral Management Service (RMS) by our admin team.

The RMS will then contact you to arrange an appointment.

If the RMS is unable to contact you, an appointment will be made on your behalf and an appointment letter posted to you.

Information regarding how to change the appointment, if it is unsuitable, will accompany the appointment letter.

If you have ANY questions about your referral and appointment, please call the RMS on their Freephone number IN THE FIRST INSTANCE (you will need to know your NHS Number included on your appointment letter):

0800 031 6639

or email BHCCG.BrightonReferrals@nhs.net

The RMS is open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday(excluding Public Holidays).

Waiting for an Autism or ADHD Referral?

Source: Sussex ICS

“We have seen a significant increase in the numbers of people both nationally and locally who are seeking an assessment for suspected autism and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This has led to waiting times that are much longer than anyone would want.

We understand how difficult it is for people and their families/carers to wait for services when they need support.

We hope this simple listing of some of the core support in Sussex will help you to manage some of your, and your family’s, needs in the meantime.

More detailed information of a wider range of services and support is available from Local Offer websites, provided by your local authority (linked below).

A child does not need a diagnosis or an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for the family to be able to access the services included here..”

Support and information for families waiting for autism and ADHD services in Sussex.

Chasing up Referrals

We recognise that times for appointments and certain treatments are much longer than the NHS would normally like.

Once the surgery has submitted a referral we are unable to trace the current waiting times for individuals and would recommend that you contact the service you have been referred to direct, or visit NHS: My Planned Care to get up to date information on waiting times for each hospital; https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/seast/

If you have been told you will be waiting longer than this, or you have not heard about an appointment, please contact the hospital Patient Advice & Liaison Services (PALS) on 01903 285032.

Please note we cannot expedite a referral unless you have new or worsening symptoms. Here are some useful telephone numbers that you can call to obtain any available updates to your referral:

Audiology
Royal Sussex County Hospital. Tel: 03003 039640

ATS
Tel 0300 304 0079
Acknowledgement message within 4 weeks

University Hospital Sussex Booking Hub
Tel: 0300 303 8360

Community Phlebotomy Service
Tel: 01273 778622

Community Respiratory Service
Tel: 01273 778622

Colposcopy
Royal Sussex County Hospital. Tel: 01273 664453

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME Referrals Haywards Heath
Tel: 01444 475799

Diabetes Care For You
Tel:0300 303 0500

Dermatology
Tel: 01273 665140
Acknowledgement message within 4 weeks

DEXA Scan Referrals (Bone Density) County Oak Medical Centre
Tel: 01273 430022

Hearing Aid
Specsavers Tel: 01273 328322

Memory Assessment Service (MAS)
Tel:0300 555 0175