Referrals

When you and your GP agree that you need an appointment with a specialist, Choose and Book shows your GP which hospitals or clinics are available for your treatment.

A referral letter is then dictated by the GP and this is passed to the secretary for typing and then an Appointment Request is raised on the Choose and Book system and an Appointment Request letter is printed off which lists your unique booking reference number, your NHS number and a list of hospitals or clinic options for your to choose from.  It also gives you a password with your appointment request letter.  This is then sent to you through the Royal Mail.

Once you have received your paperwork you can then decide how you wish to book your appointment; this can be via the telephone, using a national number on the letter or via the internet.  Please note that whilst the vast majority of appointments can be booked this way, in some cases you will need to telephone your chosen hospital directly to make your appointment.  This is because the hospital appointments system does not link to Choose and Book.