As a GP surgery, we are not notified of any waiting times for clinics or provided with hospital hotline numbers therefore our secretaries frequently are unable to get any information quicker than you can.
If your follow-up appointment has been delayed please contact your consultant secretary for any updates.
If you are waiting for your first appointment with a consultant and have not heard for a long time, please contact the outpatient department/appointments team of the hospital you have been referred to in the first instance.
If you have been unable to contact outpatients or the appointments team, please contact PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service).
Here are some useful numbers for your information
Referral Management Centre (RMC)
Once your referral is received from your GP practice, it will be reviewed by our Referral Management Centre (RMC). Our trained staff will ensure that all the necessary information is gathered to process your referral to the outpatient department. The RMC will then contact you to offer options for where you would like to be seen, depending on the type of referral. Please note that some referral pathways, such as those for suspected cancer, specific commissioned pathways, emergency care, certain diagnostic procedures, or referrals for armed forces personnel, may not allow patient choice.
The NHS does not routinely fund certain procedures and has established criteria through NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin’s Integrated Care System (STW ICS) for funding approval. These procedures and treatments are outlined in the Value Based Commissioning Policy (VBCP) and Evidence Based Interventions (EBIs).
If your referral falls into one of these categories, our clinical triage team will assess it to ensure it meets the VBCP/EBI criteria.
How to contact us
If you are unsure of the status of your referral you can contact us via a dedicated phone line. The department is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.
Patients: Phone 03300 248 283 or email: stw.your-referral@nhs.net
Your choices in the NHS
In many cases, you have the legal right to choose where you receive your NHS treatment. The NHS is expanding the options available to help you make choices that best suit your needs, giving you greater control over your care and, hopefully, better outcomes.
The NHS constitution clearly states that ‘patients will be at the heart of everything the NHS does’, meaning every patient has the right to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Patients are also given the opportunity to compare options and make choices based on their individual needs.
NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is committed to ensuring patients are well-informed and actively involved in their care planning. We strive to provide as much choice as possible when accessing NHS services. Patient choice is currently supported by two sets of regulations.
How to check the progress of my referral
If you’re unsure about the status of your referral or would like to check its progress, you can contact us through the dedicated Referral Management Centre (RMC) phone line for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin patients.
Once your referral has been submitted, the RMC team are able to:
- View and check the status of your referral (e.g., if more information is needed from your referring GP).
- Confirm whether your referral has been sent to your chosen provider or commissioned pathway.
- Provide updates on the progress of secondary care action on your referral.
The STW RMC department is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, excluding bank holidays.
Contact Information:
Phone: 03300 248 283
Email: stw.your-referral@nhs.net
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital
The Appointments Team on 01743 261000 ext 1044
Patient Advice and
Liaison Service (PALS)
Email sath.pals@nhs.net
01743 261691 for
the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
01952 282888 for the
Princess Royal Hospital
Hereford Hospital
Referral Management Centre on (01432) 383100 select Option 1
Patient Advice and
Liaison Service (PALS) 01432 372986 – Monday to Friday, 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm.
Worcester Hospital
Patient Advice and
Liaison Service (PALS)
You can call on 0300 123 1732 or email: wah-tr.PALS@nhs.net
Shropshire Community Health Trust
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Tel: 01743 277689
Freephone: 0800 032 1107 Email: shropcom.customerservices@nhs.net
Mental Health and Substance Misuse Services (adults)
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Access Team Telephone: 0808 196 4501 Email:
Substance Misuse
Telephone: 01743 294700
Email:
PALS
FREEPHONE 08007832865.
include your name, contact details and brief details of your concern.
The PALS team will be returning calls between 9.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
Children’s mental health services are provided by BeeU.
Emotional health and wellbeing service for people, up to the age of 25, living in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
Bee U Access Team 0808 196 4501 option 1.
PALS team is same as adult mental health services