GP Referrals 2023
Last year Healthwatch England commissioned Panelbase to conduct an online survey of two distinct groups who had an appointment with their GP practice in the past 12 months.
The two groups were:
1. Those who either expected or requested a referral for tests, diagnosis or treatment, but did not get one
2. Those who were referred for tests, diagnosis or treatment
The survey was conducted during October 2022 and Healthwatch England also sent it out via their networks. In total 2,144 people shared their views. 80 of those respondents were from Lincolnshire, we have only recently recieved the local data.
Those who either expected or requested a referral for tests, diagnosis or treatment, but did not get one - key findings
- Just over two-thirds (67% (16/24)) of respondents that failed to get a referral were repeat visitors i.e. they attended multiple appointments at their GP practice about the same symptoms/condition.
- 29% (7/24) of respondents had previously been referred for these symptoms/condition, but when back to their GP practice when their symptoms/condition returned/worsened, they did not hear anything further about the referral or their referral was cancelled.
- For 6 individuals, despite being advised by a healthcare professional outside of their GP practice that they needed a referral, they were not referred by the GP practice.
- 33% (8/24) believed the reason they did not get a referral was because their 'condition was not considered serious enough'.
- 30% (7/24) believed they were not given a referral due to only having a phone appointment with a healthcare professional.
- 1 in 4 (6/24) believed that not being referred was a consequence of not being listened to or taken seriously.
- All respondents experienced consequences as a result of not getting a referral:
- 58% (14/24) suffered ongoing pain,
- 50% (12/24) saw their symptoms or condition worsen,
- 33% (8/24) faced further problems and complications.
Those who were referred for tests, diagnosis or treatment - Key findings
- 30% (17/56) of respondents had been referred previously for their symptoms/condition.
There were two reasons why these respondents went back to their GP practice: their symptoms/condition had worsened/returned or they did not hear anything about the original referral.
- Whilst 52% (29/56) of respondents got their referral on their first appointment,
- 43% (24/56) were ‘repeat visitors’ meaning they had two or more appointments about their symptoms/condition.
- 36% (13/36) of respondents were referred in less than a month after first going to their GP practice about their symptoms/condition.
- However, for others it took months or even years.
- 60% (22/37) of respondents received confirmation that their referral had been accepted in less than a month. Though, others never received any confirmation that their referral had been accepted.
- Delays in the process resulted in 38% (21/56) seeking help from elsewhere:
- 7 searched online,
- 3 tried to get another appointment at their GP practice,
- 3 called NHS 111,
- 2 Went to a pharmacy, A&E or tried to contact the clinic directly.
- 89% (50/56) of respondents experienced consequences as a result of delays in the referral process:
- 1 in 5 respondents (20% (11/56)) reported that their condition/symptoms got worse,
- 13% (7/56) of respondents reported a decline in their wellbeing,
- 11% (6/56) of respondents suffered ongoing pain,
- 7% (4/56) reported increased costs or loss of income as a consequence of delays.
- 38% (21/56) of respondents were given information on why they were being referred.
- 1 in 5 (11/56) respondents were given information on how to manage their condition/symptom while waiting
A download link to the report is below. If you need the report in another format or would like to discuss anything, please email info@healthwatchlincolnshire.co.uk or call 01205 820 892.
