Are you or your loved one waiting to get a GP referral? Share your views
Have you or your loved one struggled to get a GP referral for tests or treatment?
One concern Healthwatch England has heard from the public is how hard it can be to get a GP practice referral to another NHS service.
But, there’s currently little data about people’s experiences getting a referral from a GP. We want to change this.
GPs are the first point of call for many health issues and the gateway to specialist support. But with many GP surgeries stretched thin and under pressure, NHS decision-makers need to understand if some people cannot get the right help.
Examples of services your GP can refer you to:
- Scans or tests for a diagnosis of a condition or health issue;
- Mental health support;
- Surgery for knees, hips and eyes;
- Support like physiotherapy for back pain or arthritis;
- Non-urgent heart problems; and
- Wellbeing services, like smoking cessation or diabetes management.
The impact of delayed referrals
GP referrals affect people of every age group, every background, and every region across the country. Some of the things Healthwatch England have already heard include:
- People feel like their symptoms are dismissed;
- They have to try multiple times before they’re successful; and
- They are left in the dark about how serious their condition is.