Referrals (Routine) - Updates
Overview
Updated 12.1.21
We will endeavour to update this page regularly during the COVID-19 pandemic to summarise the current state of play regarding routine referrals.
Please consider use of Advice & Guidance services where possible prior to considering a referral.
Cancer services, HOT clinics and urgent referrals should still be available across all services
Secondary Care Referrals
Routine referrals for adults are open at NBT, UHBW and RUH Bath and for children at BRCH via eRS but access to services may be restricted at this time.
Practices who use the BNSSG Referral Support Service may have their referrals triaged by the Referral Service Team. Referrals may be returned with advice to consider alternative care pathways.
Some referrals will sent to a Referral Assessment Service (RAS) destination where the referral will be triaged in secondary care and may be returned with advice or directed to the most appropriate service.
Patients may be offered a telephone or video consultation rather than a face to face appointment, so please ensure that referrals contain an up to date telephone number for them or their carer. Patients who are referred routinely will currently be offered a choice of a trust provider if this is available, although choices may be restricted at this time.
AQP Referrals
Referrals to AQP (any qualified provider) organisations are still available but may be restricted.
Audiology - We are now able to offer choice of any qualified providers (AQPs) for audiology.
Ophthalmology - Bristol Eye Hospital and NewMedica are open to routine Ophthalmology referrals.
DVT/SVT - DVT and SVT referrals can go to the GP Care DVT service.
Urology - Routine referrals can go to GP Care Urology.
Endoscopy - Prime are open to routine endoscopy referrals but there may be long waits. Urgent referrals will be prioritised
Emersons Green can now be included in patients choices (especially for ophthalmology referrals) for all treatments they offer.
Spire, Nuffield and Circle Bath are open to referrals but services may be restricted while these providers support acute trusts.
Community Referrals
Referrals continue to be through the Sirona Single Point of Access – 0300 125 6789 – or via the following email addresses:
Bristol: Sirch.bristolspa@nhs.net
North Somerset: Sirch.northsomersetspa@nhs.net
South Gloucestershire: Sirch.southglosspa@nhs.net
Service change updates will be made on Remedy, TeamNet and on the Sirona website https://www.sirona-cic.org.uk/blog/2020/03/28/service-changes/
Mental Health Referrals
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust have had to take the decision to temporarily close to routine referrals from Friday 8 January.
- AWP will be focusing staff resources on recovery teams, intensive support teams, early intervention, perinatal and inpatient services.
- Clinically urgent referrals will still be accepted
- Telephone consultations for GPs will still be available through the usual Primary Care Liaison Team contacts detailed on TeamNet.
- This position will be reviewed on Monday 1st February and services will be reopened as soon as possible.
Please see the Primary Care Liaison Service- AWP page for further details of services.