Download ABOUT YOUR URGENT HOSPITAL REFERRAL

Where can I get more information and
advice?
Please speak to a doctor at your practice if you feel that you need any further
explanation on why you have been referred.
West Cheshire
Clinical Commissioning Group
Macmillan Cancer Support is available for anyone with questions or concerns
about cancer, including family, friends and carers.
You can also get more details about the two-week system and information about
cancer from these websites and helplines:
www.macmillan.org.uk
www.canceradvice.co.uk
Macmillan freephone helpline:
0808 808 00 00
Monday–Friday 9am–8pm
(interpretation service available)
Textphone service for deaf or hard of hearing 0808 808 0121
ABOUT YOUR
URGENT HOSPITAL
REFERRAL
This leaflet can also be provided in other formats, such as large print,
audio or Braille versions or in other languages, on request.
NHS Choices
www.nhs.uk
Why you need
to be seen within
two weeks
Please read the following in order to understand
why your GP has made an urgent referral
Why has my GP referred me to hospital?
GPs can identify and treat many problems. However, sometimes they need to
arrange for you to see a hospital doctor urgently. This may be because:
• Your symptoms need further investigations
• Your treatment so far has not been effective
• Results of early investigations appear unusual
Why has my GP asked for a hospital
appointment within two weeks?
What symptoms might make my doctor
refer me urgently?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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A cough lasting more than three weeks, or coughing blood
Hoarseness of the voice for more than six weeks
A lump which does not go away
A sore or skin ulcer which does not heal
A change in the size, shape or colour of a mole
Abnormal bleeding
Indigestion which doesn’t go away, or keeps coming back
A change in bowel or bladder habits
Unexplained weight loss
An appointment within two weeks means that a problem that may be caused by
something serious, like a cancer, can be identified as quickly as possible.
Your GP will use national guidelines to help decide whether to refer you to
hospital.
Although most patients referred under the two week system do not have cancer,
it is important to find out one way or the other. This is because most cancers are
more likely to be cured if they are treated early.
What happens now?
The two week appointment system makes sure that the minority of patients who
do turn out to have cancer are treated quickly. It is therefore very important that
you make yourself available for a two week appointment
Does this mean I have a cancer?
Many patients referred urgently for an appointment within two weeks do not
have a cancer but another, less serious problem. For example, fewer than one in
25 patients referred with a change in their bowel habit or bleeding from the back
passage has a bowel cancer. However, it is important that a diagnosis can be
made urgently.
If you have not already got an appointment time or been advised to contact the
hospital, the hospital will soon get in touch with an appointment date and time.
If you do not hear from the hospital with 72 hours please contact your GP. The
appointment date will be within two weeks.
Remember you can bring a friend or family member to your appointment with
you for support.
It is very important that you do attend your hospital appointment for more tests.
This can be a worrying time but please remember that in most cases, serious
illness can be ruled out and your mind put at rest. However, if you do need
treatment, this can be started as soon as possible.
What can I do to help?
It is important that you keep all appointments which have been arranged for you.
Appointments should only be changed or cancelled under exceptional
circumstances. You must let the hospital and your GP know as early as possible
if you are going to cancel your appointment. This means another patient can
use the appointment slot. Please do your best to be available for a further
appointment as soon as possible.