Section 3 of the NHS Choice Framework explains that patients have the right to choose where to go for their first consultant-led outpatient appointment for routine (non-urgent) care. This means, when your doctor decides that you need a specialist opinion, you have the choice of which hospital trust you would like to be referred to. Most of our referrals are sent to our local trusts which have their main hospital sites in Oxford, Reading and Swindon: Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford Health, Royal Berkshire and Great Western Hospitals. These are not your only choices. Some people may prefer to go to a provider near where they work or near a relative. Sometimes people make their choice based on waiting list data or reputation. These choices are yours to make but please consider that you are making the choice not only for the first outpatient appointment but also any follow-up appointments/treatment.
When one of our doctors refers you for routine review, they will talk to you about where you can go and what choice you have. If you are worried that you did not get a choice or have made the wrong choice, please call us as soon as possible.
Waiting times information
For first outpatient waiting times information, you can use this website: Find my hospital – My Planned Care NHS. Here are the waiting time directory links to our local trusts: Oxfordshire University Hospitals, Royal Berkshire and Great Western Hospitals.
Referral paperwork and appointment information
The NHS website gives full details of how you can manage your referral appointments and documents. If you are not already signed up for the NHS App, this may be a good moment to do so. The NHS App can help you keep track of your referral and book you first appointment. Please see our online services page for help with the NHS App.