Many patients contact us to ask what happens after their referral has been submitted and who they should contact for updates.
Understanding the referral process can help avoid unnecessary delays and ensure you receive information as quickly as possible.
What Happens Once My Referral Has Been Sent?
Once your referral has been completed by the practice, it is sent to the hospital, clinic or service that has been selected as the most appropriate provider for your care.
The receiving service will then:
- Review the referral information
- Assess the urgency and clinical priority
- Add you to the appropriate waiting list where necessary
- Contact you when an appointment becomes available
At this stage, the referral is being managed by the receiving organisation rather than the GP practice.
How Long Will I Wait?
Waiting times vary significantly depending on:
- The speciality you have been referred to
- Clinical urgency
- Current demand within the service
- Local hospital capacity
Some referrals may be processed quickly, whilst others can take considerably longer depending on the service involved.
Unfortunately, Horizon Healthcare cannot control hospital waiting times.
How Can I Check My Referral?
If you have already received confirmation that your referral has been sent, it is often quicker to contact the hospital or service directly for updates.
The hospital has access to the most up-to-date information regarding:
- Waiting list position
- Appointment availability
- Referral status
- Booking arrangements
In many cases, they will be able to provide more detailed information than the GP practice.
What If I Have Not Heard Anything?
If a significant amount of time has passed and you have not received any communication, you may wish to:
- Check your contact details are correct
- Contact the hospital or service directly
- Check your NHS App where appropriate
If there appears to be a problem with the referral itself, our team may be able to assist. Referral Query
What If My Condition Has Changed?
If your symptoms have significantly worsened, changed, or you are concerned about your health while waiting for an appointment, please complete our get help form.
A change in your condition may require further assessment, treatment or review while you are waiting to be seen by the specialist service.
Referral Updates Through Horizon Healthcare
Patients can also request referral updates through Horizon Healthcare’s automated telephone service, helping you access routine services without waiting for the practice to open.
However, where possible, contacting the hospital directly is often the quickest way to obtain the latest information regarding your referral.
Supporting More Than 29,000 Patients Across Derby
Each year, Horizon Healthcare processes thousands of referrals to hospital and community services.
Our aim is to ensure referrals are submitted accurately and efficiently, while helping patients understand what happens once their referral has been sent.