NHS e-Referral Service

At East Kent Hand Surgery, we are committed to ensuring your access to timely specialist care for hand and wrist conditions. Through our partnership with Local Private Hospitals, NHS patients can be referred directly via the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) for hand and wrist consultations, diagnostics, and treatment.

What is the NHS e-Referral Service?

The NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) is the national electronic booking system used by GPs and other referrers across England to book appointments with hospital outpatient services. It allows patients to choose the date, time and location of their first outpatient appointment for specialist care.

Patients have a legal right to choose where they are referred for NHS treatment, and this choice can include independent sector providers such as One Ashford Hospital, Spencer Private Hospitals and KIMS Hospital when they offer NHS-commissioned care.

How the e-Referral Works for Hand Surgery

  1. Speak with Your GP or Referrer
    During your consultation, let your GP know you would like to be referred for hand or wrist assessment with East Kent Hand Surgery via the NHS e-Referral Service.
    If your GP does not offer this option at the time of referral, you can discuss your preferences with them or contact East Kent Hand Surgery for guidance.
  2. Referral via e-RS
    Your GP will enter your referral into the NHS e-Referral Service. This generates a Unique Booking Reference Number (UBRN) and an access code.
  3. Choose Your Appointment
    You, or your GP practice staff, can use the booking reference and access code to select a convenient appointment date, time and location for your hand surgery consultation or treatment.
  4. Booking Confirmation
    Once chosen, your appointment will be confirmed through the e-Referral system. You can also manage your booking online through the NHS e-RS portal or the NHS App, including rescheduling or cancelling if required.

Why Use the NHS e-Referral Service with Local Private Hospitals

Receiving your NHS-funded hand surgery assessment or treatment through the e-Referral Service at Local Private Hospitals offers several potential benefits:

  • Control over appointment timing and location
  • Access to highly experienced hand and wrist specialist surgeons
  • Choice of consultant for your care pathway
  • Comfortable facilities and patient-centred experience

All treatment costs are covered by the NHS under the e-Referral system. Patients are only responsible for incidental personal items as they would be in any NHS hospital setting.

Important Notes

  • The e-Referral Service is available for eligible NHS patients living in England.
  • Not all conditions may be suitable for referral via e-RS; your GP will assess clinical appropriateness.
  • If you encounter any issues with the referral process, your GP surgery staff should be able to help.