Referrals

If your doctor has referred you to a specialist for further care you will be asked to book your appointment using the ‘NHS e-Referral’ system.

You will receive a letter from us within 2 weeks giving details of how to book your appointment and any passwords you may need.

To track your e-Referral you will need the following details to log into the e-Referral website:

• Your date of birth
• Reference number (UBRN) – this will be on the first page of your letter
• Access code – this will be on the first page of your letter

To chase any outstanding appointments, following a new referral from your GP, or a follow-up outpatient appointment, at any of the East Kent Hospitals sites, please contact Outpatient Appointments:

Tel: 01227 868686

Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS)

If you would like to further advice or would like to make a complaint, please contact PALS:
Email: ekh-tr.pals@nhs.net
Tel: 01227 783145

Find out the current NHS waiting times for first outpatient appointments and elective treatment/surgery at East Kent Hospitals.

If you have made an NHS appointment outside of the East Kent Hospitals Foundation Trust (William Harvey Hospital, Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital, QEQM Hospital, or Buckland Hospital), you may need to contact the hospital provider directly to enquire about NHS waiting times.

View your upcoming appointments and manage your preferences via the East Kent Hospitals online Patient Portal.

What to expect from your hospital appointment

While you are waiting for a hospital appointment

If your GP has advised that you need to be referred to a specialist, you can utilise your private health care insurance. Each insurance provider and policy varies so please contact your private health insurer to find out what you need to do next.

The completion of health insurance forms by your GP may incur an additional fee from the surgery.

If your GP has advised that you need to be referred to a specialist, you can choose to access a private service. Please contact the private hospital /  secretaries directly to agree fees and arrange an appointment.

Some providers require a written referral, if this is requested then please contact the secretarial team at the surgery who can arrange this for you.

Click here to find out what you can expect when being referred to a private consultant, including:

• Tests & procedures*
• Medication
• Your consultants responsibilities
• Transferring your care back to the NHS
• Fit notes
• Private follow-up appointments

*Please be aware that if a private consultant asks your NHS GP to organise tests, including blood tests the practice is unlikely to be able to carry out this test request. Please contact the private service provider directly.

You must be assessed by a GP before self-referring to this service.

This service is available for East Kent patients only with suspected Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Clinics are held at the neurophysiology department in Canterbury.

Click here if you have spoken to your GP and they have asked you to complete a self-referral.

You do not need to see a GP before making a self-referral to this service.

Talking therapies and counselling can be helpful if you are suffering from stress, low mood, depression or anxiety.

If you are pregnant and would like to register for East Kent Hospitals to support you through your pregnancy and birth, please use the self-referral form on the EKHUFT website.

If you are unable to complete the self-referral form please contact 01227 868772. A member of the maternity team will call you back and take your details over the phone.

Clinics available at the following locations:

Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, Herne Bay

Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital, Whitstable

Faversham Cottage Hospital, Faversham

Canterbury Health Centre, Canterbury

Broadstairs Health Centre, Broadstairs

Westbrook House, Margate

West View Integrated Care Centre, Tenterden