Referral Policy

Referrals to Hospital Specialists – Patient Choice Navigators

When you need to be seen by a specialist, Arundel Surgery is committed to ensuring that whenever possible you receive a timely outpatient appointment at a provider of your choice.

To help you to make the most appropriate choice, we are working with a team of Patient Choice Navigators.

After you have seen your GP and together you have agreed that you need to be referred for specialist treatment Arundel Surgery will forward your referral to the team of Patient Choice Navigators at NHS Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group. They will use the NHS e-Referral System (formally Choose and Book) to help you to make an informed choice. In accordance with the NHS Constitution, you have the right to choose when and where you wish to be treated and in a timely manner.

Your GP will provide you with a booking card and a telephone number for you to contact the team. You are then asked to contact the Patient Choice Navigators five days after seeing your GP so they can work with you to book a suitable appointment.

Following our discussion with you, the Patient Choice Navigators will send your referral on to the hospital or community provider of your choice, who will then contact you to confirm your appointment. If you do not make contact with the Patient Choice Navigator within 10 days of the team receiving your referral then an appointment may be booked for you.

If you have any concerns or questions about your information being passed to the Patient Choice Navigators then please speak to a member of the practice team.

Information will only be shared when you have agreed with your GP that a referral is the best course of action.