Exactly the same as the previous story. I rang the referral service after receiving a letter from my GP which told me that an appointment date and time would be offered to me by them. I was given a choice of hospitals and chose the Royal Devon and Exeter. I was then told that a consultant would write to me with an appointment date and time. No explanation given. I rang my GP surgery and the doctor's secretary told me that this is how it is done and has been for years.
I fail to see how this can be a cost efficient service. It would take seconds in the GP surgery to ask which hospital is convenient and then refer the patient to the appropriate department in that hospital. Or give the patient a unique booking reference in the surgery and ask the patient to contact the hospital to make their own appointment. The letter consisted of 3 pages of A4 paper, an envelope and postage. Then the cost of a whole team of people answering the phones at DRSS. And all the time, the patient waits another week before getting an appointment because the letter says that you have to wait three working days before you can ring.
"Devon Referral Support Service"
About: Devon Access and Referral Team (DART) Devon Access and Referral Team (DART) Exeter EX1 1PQ
Posted by A patient patient (as ),
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