- Most people will be referred by their GP.
- Others are referred by a doctor in the hospital.
- People may have attended the A&E department at one of the hospitals or the Eye Pavilion.
The referral process at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Western General Hospital
The referring doctors will have either:
- Phoned the consultant stroke doctor on the Hotline to receive an immediate clinic appointment, or
- Written a letter and posted or emailed it, or
- Phoned the secretary dealing with appointments.
What happens then?
- The doctor running the clinic will read the letter to ensure that the clinic is the appropriate place to see the patient. Sometimes the referral will be passed on to a more appropriate clinic.
How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
- You will be seen at the first clinic with an available space. Waits vary depending on how many other referrals have been received around the same time.
- If your GP has used the Hotline you will usually be seen within four days.
- If your GP has written for an appointment you are likely to be seen within a week. If you have not heard from the hospital by one week you should ask your GP surgery to check what has happened.
- You will be informed of your appointment time either by post or telephone call.
