Referral

Paper Referral Switch Off

NHS England's Standard Contract for 2018/19 requires the full use of the NHS e-Referral Service for all consultant-led first outpatient appointments. Whilst the vast majority of services are on e-Referrals Providers are endeavouring to make the remaining few available.

Devon Providers implemented "paper switch off" from the 1 October 2018. Should Providers receive a paper referral and the speciality is available on e-Referrals the referral will be returned to the DRSS Helpdesk. The Helpdesk will contact the practice advising that the referral needs to be raised through e-Referrals. The patient will then be sent a letter asking them to telephone DRSS to book their appointment.

Exclusions

There are a number of services that are excluded nationally from e-Referrals for reasons such as same day appointments, non Consultant service.

Please see below table for current e-Referrals exclusions, these will remain as paper until we advise you otherwise.

Provider Service
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Antenatal clinic referrals
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Colposcopy
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Fracture Clinic
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Giant Cell Arteritis
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Surgical Emergency Clinic
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Emergency Gynaecology
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust GUM
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Termination of Pregnancy
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust EPAC clinic
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Wet/Dry Macular degeneration
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust Antenatal clinic referrals
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust Emergency Gynaecology
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust Fracture Clinic
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust GUM
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
New Type 1 Diabetes
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust Rapid Access Paediatrics
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust Termination of Pregnancy
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Antenatal clinic referrals
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Dietetics
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Fracture clinics
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust GUM
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Nuclear Medicine
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Other Urgent Ophthalmology (not same day requirements)
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Pregnancy Advisory service
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Speech & Language services
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Stroke/TIA
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Wet/Dry Macular degeneration
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Antenatal clinic referrals
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust CVA and TIA referrals
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Dietitians
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Emergency Referrals
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust GUM
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Infectious Diseases
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Fracture Clinic

Published: 21 March 2018