We are aware that patients are having to wait a long time at the moment for appointments in the hospitals or for surgery. Many of these patients often contact us to ask if their GP can help expedite (speed up) their referral or procedure. 

We have been informed that all patients who have waited for more than 6 months will now receive a letter from University Hospitals Leicester (UHL) which explains the situation and that because your next appointment is in a hospital, your GP surgery will be unable to provide you with any more information about when you will be seen.

Exert from UHL Patient letter: “Please do not contact your GP for updates, as this may prevent people from being able to access regular appointments. You should tell them if you have a significant change in symptoms”

Please continue to see your GP if there is a deterioration in your condition which needs clinical support to help you .

The letter to patients from UHL details: “A change in symptoms will not always mean that you need to come to hospital sooner and your GP will not be able to speed up your appointment booking.”

If patients are concerned they may not be on the waiting list, or concerned with the length of time they have waited, they can telephone 0300 303 1563 to confirm or check their referral.

If the referral is for an appointment to be seen at Melton Hospital, patients can call this service directly on 01664 854800.

We hope this helps keep you informed