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Say ‘NO!’ to inappropriate requests with our template letters

In the GP Forward View, it was stated that the NHS Standard Contract for hospitals has been changed so that hospitals can no longer adopt blanket policies whereby patients who miss appointments are automatically discharged for re-referral. It also emphasised that internal referrals for non-urgent, related conditions can be done within the hospital and there is no need for patients to book an appointment with their GP. 

Pulse has produced template letters for GPs still receiving inappropriate requests so they can inform the hospital that it is their responsibility to book another appointment with the patient. We have also produced letters for patients to explain the situation.

Feel free to download, amend and share these letters as you see fit.

  • Download a letter to the hospital department who asked you to re-refer a patient after a missed appointment
  • Download a letter to a patient asked to book an appointment with you for re-referral after a missed appointment
  • Download a letter to the hospital department who asked you to refer a patient to another hospital department
  • Download a letter to a patient asked to book an appointment with you for a hospital internal referral