Referrals

How to get a referral

NHS Referrals

A Doctor or Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) will sometimes refer you to a hospital or another provider in the community. This may be for more investigations to find what's wrong, or because you need specialist treatment that they can't give you.

You will usually need to have an appointment with a Doctor or ANP before they can make the referral. If you need an appointment, please call Reception, or book via Airmid or the NHS App or submit an eConsult via this website.

Some things you can refer yourself for, without needing to talk to us. Please see the links below for more information

Private referrals

If you want to see a specialist doctor or service privately, instead of on the NHS, please ask your doctor for a private referral.

Once the referral letter has been written it will be sent to you by email. You can then take it to whichever doctor you choose.

Following up your referral

In most cases, after a referral has been made, Freshwell will not be able to help with queries about appointments or waiting times. This will be the responsibility of the people we have referred you to. The table below gives contact details for teams who will be able to give you more information

 Referral type  Who to contact  Phone number
 Routine  Referral Support Service  0300 123 0771
 Urgent  Freshwell Health Centre  01376 810328
 2 Week Wait Fast Track  2WW team  01245 515 206
 Radiology (eg X-Ray, CT, MRI)  Broomfield and Braintree Radiology department  01245 514301
 Endoscopy (eg Colonoscopy, Gastroscopy)  InHealth  0333 202 3187

Hospital Transport

If you have been referred to the hospital but but would find it difficult to get there, you can arrange for hospital transport. You need to do this youself as the service needs detailed information about your house and what support you need

Arrange by calling: 0808 169 9614

Advice and support

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters.

They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.

 Phone number for Broomfield hospital PALS: 01245 514 130

Find out more about PALS

Find other PALS Services here