Hospital Expedite Letters

Millions of outpatient appointments and treatments have been delayed in NHS hospitals during the pandemic. When patients contact the hospital, they are sometimes told to ask their GP for an ‘expedite letter’. This is frustrating for you and for us, and we cannot guarantee that this will result in your appointment being brought forward.

Only the hospital can compare your needs with those of other patients on their waiting list and they will action your request accordingly.

If you want to inform a hospital of a change in your symptoms, you may use the templates below when contacting the hospital - please use copy and paste. One is for patients waiting for a first appointment with a specialist, the second is for patients waiting for a follow-up appointment, treatment, or operation. You should post your letter to either Outpatient Appointments (for first appointments) or your consultant’s secretary (for follow-up care) - please see contact details below.

Letter for a first appointment with a specialist:

Dear Consultant,
 
I am awaiting care from you for <Write your original problem here>. I have been referred by my GP at Millgate Healthcare.
 
I await an appointment and / or treatment but report the following change in my condition since my referral was sent to you:
 
<Explain briefly what has changed since your referral>
 
I request that you take the following action
 
• Review my hospital notes alongside this letter to determine whether my care might be expedited
• Contact me directly to inform me of the outcome of that decision, and my likely wait for further care
• File this letter and document your decision in my medical record.
 

Letter for a for a follow-up appointment:

Dear Consultant,
 
I am receiving care from you for <Write your original problem here>.
 
I await a follow-up appointment and / or treatment but report the following change in my condition since your last contact with me:
 
<Explain briefly what has changed since your last contact with the specialist>
 
I request that you take the following action:
 
• Review my hospital notes alongside this letter to determine whether my care might be expedited
• Contact me directly to inform me of the outcome of that decision, and me likely wait for further care
• File this letter and document your decision in my medical record.
 
 
 
Should you wish to raise a concern about your waiting time please contact the relevant hospital:  

Tameside Booking Office

Tameside Booking Office.  Fountain Street.  Ashton under Lyne.  0161 922 6991 

palsandcomplaints@tgh.nhs.uk

Stepping Hill Hospital

Tel: 0161 4194010

PCS@stockport.nhs.uk

Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road

Appointments: 0161 2915120

pals@mft.nhs.uk

Manchester Royal 

Contact switch board on 0161 276 1234 then ask for the clinic you want to speak to or visit Get in touch - Manchester Royal Infirmary (mft.nhs.uk) for direct telephone numbers of departments

 

If you want to escalate this matter further please contact your local Patient Advice and Liaison Service  who can you support you with this.