10 Ways to Shorten Your Wait for a Hospital Doctor’s Appointment
In the UK, frustratingly, you cannot refer yourself directly to a hospital consultant (senior doctor). You have to go through your GP.
Consultants don’t help either. They are often elusive and difficult to contact. But there are things you can do. This article gives you some top tips, regarding how.
Rule Number 1. Know the name, number and email address of the secretary to the consultant, and the department they work in. This is how you can carry out most of the top tips below.
Here are 10 ways to shorten your wait for a hospital doctor’s outpatient appointment. These will answer the question ‘How can I speed up my hospital appointment?’
1. Make sure you are on the cancellation list
This is the most useful thing you can do. Call and check in frequently (once a week is OK).
Note. Secretaries are very important in accelerating appointments. Be nice. They like chocolate biscuits and cards!
2. Find out if the consultant sees patients in multiple locations
Consultants quite often see patients on different sites. Make it clear to the secretary you are happy to see the consultant anywhere.
3. Check if you can be seen by a different consultant in their department
Depending on your condition, you might be able to see a different specialist with shorter wait times.
And you would like to be on their cancellation lists too – and that you will see them in any location.
4. Ask your referring GP to call up on your behalf
They need to emphasise that your clinical condition is deteriorating.
5. Get a Patient Advocate (like PALS)
Go to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) office in the hospital to which you have been referred. Ask them to emphasise that you are unwell, and your concerns regarding a long wait, to the consultant.
6. Consider health professionals who are not doctors – they may be better and quicker
- Many GPs have a Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapist – who is specially trained to deal with problems like shoulder, hip and knee pain – working with them. They can request an MRI and get a consultant surgeon to see you, often quicker than your GP. Ask the GPs receptionist or look on their website
- In many practices you can refer yourself to them – i.e. you do not need to see your GP at all
- For an eye problem go to an optometrist. They can also refer you to hospital.
7. Ask about urgent care options
If your condition is urgent, ask if there’s an urgent care clinic that can see you sooner.
8. Consider a different hospital
- You can also switch to a different hospital for treatment and use the My Planned Care website or NHS App to check waiting times and find an alternative hospital
- Your GP may be able to help you do this – and consider visiting one with shorter waits.
9. Be flexible with dates and times
Being open to different appointment times or dates will help you get seen sooner. If you miss an appointment because you are on holiday, the hospital may send you another one 3-4 months later.
10. Make a personal plea
You can do this using a letter or card.
Bonus Top Tip to Shorten Your Wait
- Call early in the day. Appointments often fill up later in the day, so calling early might increase availability
- Be nice. Polite and persistent is the right style.
