Following the upgrade of the NHS E-Referral service to R13.9 on the weekend of 16-17 March, we would like to draw referrer's attention to the correct process for sending patients directly to a Referral Assessment Service. DRSS have noticed a large increase across Devon of UBRNs that have not been properly sent to local RAS services (including suspected cancer services).

We believe that the main cause of this is, once the RAS has been selected on e-RS, that the ‘Request’ button (shown in a red circle in the screenshot below) is being selected, instead of the correct process, which is to push the ‘Send For Triage’ button, circled in green below.

If the Request button is selected this will not forward the UBRN to the provider’s worklist on e-RS. The screenshot below is from the national e-RS training video, released as part of R13.9 communications.

In the case of referrals being sent to directly bookable services (including DRSS), please ensure you complete an appointment slot booking and do not use the ‘Request’ option as this, again, does not send the referral through. If there is no appointment available, do not use the ‘Request’ button – use this option (Defer to Provider) to ensure it is forwarded to the selected service.

DRSS are monitoring this situation, as an agreed part of the service we provide for Devon practices, and completing the process where possible. Practice teams are asked to urgently review this to ensure that they are aware of the correct process.

Please contact drss.helpdesk@nhs.net with any queries.