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Doctor hasn't sent referral yet

Tomos

I am having a really hard time right now waiting for my GP to send my referral form so I can get my assessment via right to choose.

I went to discuss it on Tuesday 30th June and the GP said she would get it sent off.

I waited a full week before going to check if it had been sent yet despite wanting it chase every day. I thought this would have been plenty of time for the form (which is mostly just my personal details and one part where they need to attach my medical history notes) to be filled. Hell, I could have done most of it myself.

The receptionist was unable to check if it had been sent yet but said she could get someone to update me via text later that day. I also asked if I didn't hear anything should I come back on Thursday, to which she said it would be fine.

Thursday comes around and I wait until midday to go and ask for an update. A medical receptionist is there and checks to see the status of the referral. Nothing has been filled or sent yet. I should have asked more questions then but a baby was crying and someone was using the water dispenser so I just said thank you for checking and left when I could. I cried walking home because I was frustrated.

I went back in today (Friday) to ask again and explain that until this is sent, I am stuck waiting and that I need this to be done to have the process begin. It was a different receptionist again (which may be part of why nothing seems to get passed along properly in the GP) and she was sympathetic. She could tell I was upset and told me to come back Monday afternoon if I still haven't heard anything and fill a triage slip explaining that the situation is distressing me.

I understand they are busy but it would take less than 5 minutes to fill this form out so it begins to feel intentional (I know it likely isn't but I feel forgotten and abandoned).

I hate to feel like I have to chase and beg just to get things done but I'm so scared it will slip through the cracks and get forgotten about for weeks. I can't cope with anything at the moment with the heat and constantly feeling one annoyance away from a meltdown.

I don't know what I can do to make this happen faster and I hate feeling so helpless.

Parents

  • Dear Tomos,

    It sounds like a really difficult position for you to be in and I am sorry that it is making you feel helpless. I was wondering if it may help to put down how this is making you feel in writing to your GP practice. Sometimes it can be easier to communicate this way and it also can make sure that they know exactly how these delays are affecting you.

    From my own experience I like to know when things are going to happen, so I understand why it can be distressing when someone says it will be done by a certain time and then there to be multiple delays. It could be worth getting in touch with PALS who can help you resolve concerns within health practices, I have included a link with some information about them: What is PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)? - NHS

    I thought whilst you are waiting for them to send the form it might be helpful to read some of the NAS advice and guidance pages on diagnosis:

    Take care,

    Olivia Mod

  • in reply to Olivia Mod

    If the referral has been put through and i was waiting it would be better because then I know the process has actually started. I feel very stuck because I dont want to be a nuisance but I can't afford to not chase this up.

    I will write out how this is affecting me and take it in on Monday if they still haven't sent it off yet. It might be that they think because it's not a physical medical thing then it can be delayed more with less consequence to the patient.

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  • in reply to Olivia Mod

    If the referral has been put through and i was waiting it would be better because then I know the process has actually started. I feel very stuck because I dont want to be a nuisance but I can't afford to not chase this up.

    I will write out how this is affecting me and take it in on Monday if they still haven't sent it off yet. It might be that they think because it's not a physical medical thing then it can be delayed more with less consequence to the patient.

Children
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