Referrals

NHS e-Referral (Choose & Book) Tracking

If your Doctor has referred you to a Specialist for further care you will be asked to book your appointment using the ‘NHS e-Referral’ system. It’s fast, convenient and secure.

  • The Manage Your Referral website is easy for patients to use. It allows them to book, check, change and cancel their appointments online
  • Patients can take control and book their own appointment on a convenient date and time and at their preferred hospital or Clinic if there is a choice
  • No more worried patients having to contact the Practice to find out what is happening with their appointment
You can also phone the NHS e-Referral Service line on 0345 608 8888 (open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, and on weekends and bank holidays from 8am to 4pm).

You will normally receive a letter from us within 2 weeks giving details of how to book your appointment and any passwords you may need.

To track your e-Referral you will need the following details to log into the e-Referral website:

  • Your date of birth
  • Reference number – this will be on the first page of your letter
  • Password – this will be on the second page of your letter

Referral to Hospital by your GP

If you have been referred to a specialist and would like more information, in the first instance please contact the service provider directly.

Following the COVID pandemic, hospital waiting times have been seriously impacted and you may be waiting quite a long time for your appointment.

For more information about your potential waiting time period, please visit: https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/ney/

These times are not definite and you may end up waiting a little longer.
Read the ‘What happens when you are referred by your GP to see a specialist’ Leaflet

Self Referral

Most referrals to other specialists will require you seeing or speaking with a GP.

However, there are a number of local services, listed below, that you are able to make self referrals to.

Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)

A service that provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye problems, provided by your local opticians.

Talking Changes

Talking Changes is a self-help counselling and talking therapy service for people living in the County Durham and Darlington area who are suffering with common mental health problems

0191 333 3300

Sexual Health Clinics

These clinics are delivered by a highly skilled workforce including health advisors, doctors, sexual health nurses and support staff who can advise on any matters relating to sexual health.

Sleepio

Self-referral web-based support for sleep problems.

Citizens Advice County Durham

Citizens Advice County Durham provides free, impartial advice to those who need help on social matters such as debt, benefits, energy, housing options, pensions and much more.

Smoke Free Durham

Smoke Free Durham is a service that can support and advise on smoking cessation. They can offer tailored programmes to help you quit smoking.

0800 772 0565

NHS stop smoking services help you quit – Quit smoking

Local stop smoking services are free, friendly and can massively boost your chances of quitting for good.

0300 123 1044

NUPAS (national unplanned pregnancy advisory service)

We offer abortion treatments and free pregnancy testing, sexually transmitted infection screening and a fully comprehensive contraceptive service.

0333 004 6666

Marie Stopes UK

You don’t need a GP referral to access NHS funded abortion care. We’ve been helping people with their reproductive health options for over 40 years. We provide NHS-funded and self-funded abortion and vasectomy care through our network of local clinics all over England. You can give us a call whenever you need us. Our advice line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

0345 300 8090

Find a psychological therapies service in England

You can refer yourself directly to a psychological therapies service (IAPT) without seeing your GP. These services offer therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for common problems including: stress, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and phobias

NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) identifies those at diabetes high risk and refers them onto a behaviour change programme.