"Referral to a Consultant by my GP practice"

I was referred to Royal Surrey County Hospital for a consultation with a consultant by my GP.

The date I was given by your referral system was nearly three months ahead. This system was supposed to give choice of venue but just four pages of bumph arrived with no choices offered..

They say that they tried to contact me. My wife is here nearly all of the time and our phone records show they made no attempt to contact me.

I phoned my GP who said with the new system it was completely out of his hands and that I had more power than him to phone and get a closed appointment.

I telephoned the number suggested in the bumph I received who informed me that there was no closer date at either hospital but I could phone Cobham. This I did but am still waiting for a date from them.

I phoned the Referral system again and they said this new system paid the GPs for referrals but the GP could use the old system of writing to the consultant if he wishes. My GP completely denies this is possible.

I have phoned again since and got a nearer date and have been seen by an excellent Consultant who has sent me for a CT scan.

I have now seen my Consultant to receive my CT scan results and he confirmed that the GP's can write to him or phone him, something the GP’s deny.

I conclude that your referral system is a complete shambles and I feel everyone gives a different story and do not communicate at all with one another.