Referrals and self-referrals

Information:

Please do not book an appointment to chase or enquire about waiting times for referrals.
We know that waiting times for referrals are distressingly long for many specialities. 

Check referral waiting times at University Hospitals Sussex

The My Planned Care website supports people waiting for a hospital appointment, operation or treatment, and give advice and support while they wait. This includes access to average waiting times at the hospital and other useful advice and local services.

Your hospital team will be in touch with you as soon as they can. If you are looking for an update, please check this website before contacting your hospital or GP.

Urgent referrals

If your doctor or nurse want you to be seen urgently by a specialist ‘to rule out the possibility of cancer’

  • you should be given a ‘2 week wait form’  in your appointment which explains what happens next. 
  • we will make a ‘2 Week Wait’ electronic referral direct the to the hospital within 1 working day. 
  • the hospital should contact you within a few days. 

If you do not hear from the hospital about an appointment within two weeks please speak to the Secretaries at The Health Centre at the University of Sussex: 01273 249049

Routine referrals

If your clinician told you they were referring you for a routine referral, our secretaries will send a text, email or letter to you within 7 working days.

If you have been referred using the Electronic Referral System (ERS), you will receive a letter by email which will give you contact information for the service you have been referred to. For some hospital specialists, we may have given you a choice of hospital and you will be asked to choose a hospital online or by phone. You will be given a date on the letter when you should be contacted by; please do not chase the hospital until after this date. This letter will include a Unique Booking Reference Number (UBRN) to quote if you need to contact the hospital. Please let the hospital know if you change your contact information while waiting to be seen.   

If you are referred outside of the ERS system, our secretary will text you with the place you have been referred to and a contact telephone number to use if you change your contact information or need to contact the service. Please note there are significant waiting times for most routine referrals.  

Useful hospital/ referral phone numbers

If you are still having issues with your referral, please contact us on: track a referral online form.

Self referrals