Fast track referrals

These are urgent referral to investigate symptoms that can be related to Cancer, We will send the referral within 24 hours and you will receive a hospital appointment (which could be a phone consultation) within 14 days. Please contact the surgery if you have not heard in that time and please ensure you let the Doctor know if you are not available in the 14 days following the decision to refer.

Referrals to the Central Referral Service

The Central Referral Service (CRS) is a patient-centred service which manages referrals from GP practices in Epping Forest and Harlow. The aim of the service is to provide care closer to home - where it is clinically appropriate to do so. 

The Central Referral Service provides a number of primary care appointments and/or clinical triage  in

• Dermatology
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopaedics
• Gastroenterology
• Pain Management
• Rheumatology
• Pain Management
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Minor Surgery and Vasectomy

Why have I been referred to the Central Referral Service?

We have referred you to the Central Referral Service for a specialist opinion to ensure you are seen by the most appropriate service to treat your condition.

What happens now?

After your GP appointment, a referral letter is sent to the CRS, using the secure NHS electronic referral system.

The team at the Central Referral Service will then ensure that your letter is passed to the clinician who specialises in your condition. They will assess your needs based on the information from your GP. If you need an appointment, this could be with a specialist in a specialist clinic or at a hospital of your choice. In some cases the specialist will advise the GP on how to manage your condition and you will not need an appointment at all.

All of this should happen within 7 to 10 days of your appointment with your GP.          

How do I get my appointment?

If you need an appointment, a member of the Central Referral Service team will contact you - by letter - to arrange this, either with the appropriate local service or with instructions on how to book your appointment at the hospital.

It is important that you make sure we have the right address and daytime telephone number for you.

What if I need to get in touch?

For any queries about your referral, please contact the Central Referral Service on: Tel: 01277 657835

If your doctor has referred you to a specialist that is not dealt with through the CRS system you will be asked to book your appointment using the ‘NHS e-Referral’ system.

You will receive a letter from us within 2 weeks giving details of how to book your appointment and any passwords you may need.

To track your e-Referral you will need the following details to log into the e-Referral website:

• Your date of birth
• Reference number – this will be on the first page of your letter
• Password – this will be on the second page of your letter

To track an e-Referral, click here.

Your referral letter will be typed and you will need to contact your Private Insurance company (unless you are self funding) to gain an authorisation code.

You will then need to contact the Private Health provider of your choice and make the appointment.

Routine Private Referral letters will usually be ready in 5 working days.