Hospital Expedite Letter
Due to the Covid19 Pandemic millions of outpatient appointments have been cancelled and delayed in the NHS.
When patient contact local hospitals to find out when they might be seen or if their symptoms and condition has worsened, they are often asked to contact their GP and request an 'expedite letter'. This is frustrating for you and the surgery as it rarely results in appointments being brought forward.
Furthermore, it is very difficult for a GP to measure to what extent your condition has worsened. We take your word for this, and the hospital should do the same. When making decisions about who to prioritise it is only possible for the hospital to compare your condition and needs against all the other patients on their waiting list.
Treflan Surgery has created two letters for you to use if you want to inform the hospital of a change in your symptoms.
- Letter one is for patients waiting for a first appointment with a specialist.
- The second letter is for people waiting for a follow-up appointment, treatment, or operation.
Please download the template letter below, completing your details and explaining the change in your symptoms. The letters are in Word format and only the areas highlighted in yellow can be edited:
Expedite follow-up appointment
You should post your letter to either Outpatients Department (for first appointments) or your Consultant's secretary (for follow-up care).
If you would like support whilst waiting for hospital treatment or an appointment you can also visit Contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) - Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)
In the event of change in a potentially life threatening condition e.g. a known cancer, or heart and lung symptoms please contact Treflan Surgery, 999, or 111 in the first instance.