NHS e-Referral Service

Any to Any Referral to a provider in a different part of the country Patient and User Journey: The Vision …….

1 Patient sees GP

Matthew, a 19 year old student in Leeds, sees his GP with severe lower back pain that has been bothering him for a long time. He is also having numbness and weakness in his right leg. After examining him, Dr Challenor suspects that Matthew might have a disc prolapse and would benefit from seeing a specialist who can assess his problem.

Any to Any

2 GP refers to local Clinical Assessment Service

Dr Challenor searches on the NHS e Referral Service for ‘disc prolapse’. She notes there is a locally commissioned multidisciplinary Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) that assesses all musculoskeletal problems. Matthew agrees to attend an assessment and chooses to be sent the booking instructions electronically. He is then able to book an appointment.

Any to Any

3 Patient attends the assessment appointment

Matthew is seen by Gill, a consultant physiotherapist, who assesses him and feels he needs a scan of his lower back. The MRI scan confirms a large disc prolapse. As his symptoms are so severe, Gill advises that surgery might be indicated and would like to refer him to a back surgeon.

Any to Any

4 Consultant Physiotherapist refers to provider in Cambridge

Matthew would rather have surgery near his parent’s home in Cambridge, so that they can help him after any possible operation. Gill logs onto the NHS e-Referral Service and searches for disc prolapse services near Cambridge. She sends Matthew a list of options electronically and he books his appointment online.

Any to Any

5 Consultant Surgeon reviews referral information

Mr Delaney, the spinal surgeon in Cambridge, reviews the clinical referral information and MRI report provided by Dr Challenor and Gill. He accepts the referral into his service and records an instruction for his administrator to request Matthew’s MRI images from the PACS portal.

Any to Any

6 Patient attends consultant appointment

Matthew attends his appointment and subsequently has surgery at his chosen hospital near his parents.

Any to Any

7 Patient gives feedback

After his operation, Matthew is invited to provide online feedback on the referral and booking process. He is pleased to be able to provide positive feedback about his experience.

Any to Any

How can YOU get involved?

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Take part in the consultation at:

www.hscic.gov.uk/ers •

Contact us on email:

[email protected]

NHS e-Referral Service vision – making paperless referrals a reality