27.4.20 Information from HHFT about 2WW and urgent referrals
News
HHFT have communicated out to all OSMs and relevant admin teams about accepting and clinically triaging all referrals. The pathways we have in place since early April are for an assessment to take place on whether patient can have a tel/video appointment or whether A&G can be sent to the GP on the pts conditions with the focus mainly being on Fast Track 2 week rules and urgents. If they need to have a face to face appointment/diagnostic – the patient will be contacted to see if this is possible I.E. they are not self isolating due to COVID19 symptoms or identified as vulnerable.
If, after clinical triage, their referral is prioritised as non urgent (routine) the service is considering whether they have the current capacity to “deal” with the patient in the next few months. They may be temporarily put “on hold” until capacity is more readily available. The patient will be informed that if their symptoms get worse, to contact their GP for further discussion around management. Should the GP wish to expedite their referral for re-review by our clinicians HHFT have set up EXPEDITE services on ERS for this to happen. GPs have been asked to include the original UBRN number plus a letter with the changes to the patients condition.
The Trust has a clear expectation that their team do not reject referrals back to GP – this may have happened end March time, but hoping all relevant staff have received this message not to reject. Please let us know if this is happening.
