Changes to the way some people access specialist care
NHS Greater Manchester is introducing a new way for some people to access specialist care. This approach is being introduced for some specialist services across Greater Manchester.
When your GP or another healthcare professional needs specialist advice about your care, they may ask a specialist to review your information before arranging your next appointment.
In the past, this would often mean being referred for a hospital appointment. Now, a specialist may review your information first and recommend the most appropriate next step for your care. This could include advice for your GP, further tests, treatment, support from another service, or a hospital appointment if one is needed.
The aim is to help people get the right care, at the right time, from the service that best meets their needs.
What does this mean for me?
Your GP will send information about your health to a specialist team.
The specialist team will review the information. They will recommend the best next step for you.
You may need an appointment with a hospital specialist. However, another type of care may sometimes be better for you.
How is this different?
In the past, a referral would often lead to a hospital appointment.
Under this new approach, a specialist reviews your information first. This means you can get specialist advice before an appointment is arranged.
The specialist may recommend a hospital appointment. They may also suggest tests, treatment or support from another service.
Why are we doing this?
We want people to get the right care at the right time.
Asking a specialist for advice early can:
- Help you get expert advice sooner
- Avoid appointments you may not need
- Help you reach the right service
- Reduce delays where possible
What happens next?
- Your GP or healthcare professional asks a specialist for advice.
- The specialist reviews the information about your health.
- The specialist recommends the best next step.
The team responsible for your next stage of care will contact you if an appointment, test or further treatment is needed – this could be your local practice who made the request or the hospital it was sent to.
The specialist may recommend:
- advice for your GP to help manage your care
- further tests or investigations
- treatment closer to home
- care from another service
- an appointment with a hospital specialist
Every patient is different, so the next step will depend on your health and what care you need.
No. Your referral has not been turned down.
A specialist is reviewing your information to help decide the best next step for you.
Not everyone will need a hospital appointment. Sometimes specialist advice, treatment or tests can be arranged without you needing to see a hospital specialist.
This will depend on what the specialist recommends.
Your GP practice or the service caring for you will let you know what happens next.
What should I do while I wait?
Please continue to follow any advice given by your GP or healthcare professional.
If a hospital appointment has been recommended following specialist review, please contact the hospital team if you have questions about your appointment, waiting times or booking arrangements.
If your symptoms change or get worse, while you are waiting:
- contact your GP practice
- contact NHS 111
- call 999 in an emergency
Yes. If a hospital appointment is the right next step for you, it will be arranged.
A specialist from the service will review the information sent by your GP or healthcare professional.
Yes. Someone from your GP practice or hospital caring for you will tell you about any advice, tests, treatment or appointments.
Yes. Speak to your GP or the healthcare professional who asked for specialist advice. They can explain your referral and the options available to you.
Contact your GP practice or NHS 111. Call 999 if it is an emergency.
