Fast track referrals

If you have been referred by your GP and have been offered a diagnostic appointment, this means you have been given a fast track referral and it is important you go to your appointment.

To find out what happens next please read the information below.

This information also applies if you have been referred from an Accident & Emergency department.

What is a ‘fast track’ referral?

A fast track referral happens when your GP has concerns that your symptoms might suggest cancer.

They make a referral to the hospital and an appointment to see a specialist is arranged. The hospital will contact you by telephone to schedule the appointment or any tests you might need.

Your GP will refer you if they are concerned that your symptoms could suggest cancer.

9 out of 10 people referred will not have cancer. Symptoms could be caused by a number of common conditions.

What can you expect from a fast track referral?

The hospital will telephone you to arrange an appointment with a specialist.

Please remember to accept a telephone call from an unknown number and make sure your GP has your correct address, email address and telephone number, including any mobile number.

 

If you have been referred to hospital and have not been contacted within one week, please telephone the hospital you have been referred to:

Dorset County Hospital (Dorchester): 01305 254109 (08:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday)

University Hospitals Dorset (Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch): 0300 019 4741 (09:00 – 18:00 Monday to Friday)

Portsmouth – Queen Alexandra Hospital: 02392 681700 (08:30 – 17:00 Monday to Friday)

Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital: 01256 473 202 (switchboard)

Royal Hampshire County Hospital: 01962 863 535 (switchboard)

University Hospital Southampton: 023 8077 7222 (switchboard)

Salisbury District Hospital: 01722 336 262 (switchboard)

Yeovil District Hospital: 01935 475 122 (switchboard)

How is it decided if you need tests?

During your first contact with the hospital, the next steps will be discussed with you.

To help the specialist understand the cause of your symptoms, you may need tests before your appointment. The hospital will advise you what tests should be carried out and will make arrangements for you.

It may only be during your appointment that the specialist decides you should have tests and these will be arranged.

If your appointment is at the hospital, some tests may be arranged while you are there.

What can you expect if you have to go to the hospital for your appointment?

Your appointment may be at your main hospital or at another local hospital. It is important to attend your appointment to reduce further risk to your health.

You can bring a friend or family member with you to your appointments.

If you cannot drive or arrange your own transport, or public transport is limited, you may be able to use the patient ambulance transport service.

Please speak to the receptionist at your GP practice as soon as possible if this needs to be arranged.

 

Will you have an online / telephone appointment?

If an appointment with a specialist is arranged, it might be a telephone call or online appointment (if the hospital offers virtual consultations). Please tell your GP if you are unable to manage a telephone call or online appointment.

Online appointments are rare but if the specialist team need to arrange an online appointment they will discuss this with you first.

The specialist team might contact you by telephone from time to time. This could be to arrange tests, to give you results, or to check that you have understood all the information that has been given to you at your appointment.

 

What if you cancel your appointment?

Your GP believes your symptoms need to be investigated as soon as possible, so it is important you are flexible when arranging this appointment.

You should make every effort to attend the first appointment you are given.

If you cannot make it please contact the hospital well in advance so an alternative can be booked for you, and this time slot can be given to someone else.

 

How should you prepare for your appointment?

You will be given a lot of information during your appointment. You might find it helpful to consider the following:

  • Write down any questions you have and take these with you
  • Take a pen and paper to write things down. If you think you will find it difficult to take it all in ask a friend or family member to write things down for you
  • Please remember to take your appointment letter with you

​What next?

Finding cancer early can increase the chance of recovery. If you are diagnosed with cancer as a result of your referral you will be given support and further appointments to discuss what treatment is available.

If you are told that nothing is found but you still have concerning symptoms, or you develop new symptoms, please discuss these with your GP.

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