GP Referrals Part One - What happens to those who are not referred?

Healthwatch Lincolnshire analysed local  results from a Healthwatch England national survey to gain insight into the process and peoples’ experiences of getting a referral from their GP practice over the past 12 months.  In Lincolnshire 24 respondents had expected or requested to be referred for tests, diagnosis or treatment but were not referred.

Just over two-thirds (67% (16/24)) of respondents that failed to get a referral were repeat visitors i.e. they attended multiple appointments at their GP practice about the same symptoms/condition.

29% (7/24) of respondents had previously been referred for these symptoms/condition, but when back to their GP practice when their symptoms/condition returned/worsened, they did not hear anything further about the referral or their referral was cancelled.

 For 6 individuals, despite being advised by a healthcare professional outside of their GP practice that they needed a referral, they were not referred by the GP practice.

33% (8/24) believed the reason they did not get a referral was because their 'condition was not considered serious enough'.

 30% (7/24) believed they were not given a referral due to only having a phone appointment with a healthcare professional.

1 in 4 (6/24) believed that not being referred was a consequence of not being listened to or taken seriously.

All respondents experienced consequences as a result of not getting a referral, including ongoing pain, worsening symptoms and further problems, including stress.

75% (18/24) tried alternative ways to seek help as a result of not getting a referral, all of which have varying impacts on the NHS. • Most frequently respondents ended up searching online, others tried to get another appointment at or referral from their GP practice.