Hospital Referrals

When you need to be seen by a specialist, Southbourne Surgery is committed to ensuring that whenever possible you receive a timely outpatient appointment at a provider of your choice.

To help you to make the most appropriate choice, we are working with the ‘Referral Support Team’.

After you have seen your GP and together you have agreed that you need to be referred for specialist treatment we will forward your referral to the Referral Support Team at NHS West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group who, using the NHS e-Referral System (formerly Choose and Book) will help you to make an informed choice. In accordance with the NHS Constitution, you have the right to choose when and where you wish to be treated in a consultant-led service and in a timely manner.

Your GP may provide you with a booking card and a telephone number for you to contact the team. You are then asked to contact the Referral Support Team no sooner than TEN working days after seeing your GP so they can work with you to book your appointment.

Following discussion with you, the Referral Support Team will send your referral on to the hospital or community provider of your choice, who will then contact you directly to confirm your appointment. If you do not make contact with the Referral Support Team then an appointment may be booked for you and the details sent directly to you.

If you have any concerns or questions about your information being passed to the Referral Support Team then please speak to the Practice Manager. Information will only be shared when you have agreed with your GP that a referral is the best course of action.

To contact the Referral Support Team please call 01903 708670

Download the Referral Support Team information and booking card card here.

Download important information about what happens when you are referred here.