/ Dear Sir/Madam,
Following your recent appointment your GP has decided to seek advice from a specialist. This may or may not lead to you requiring a hospital appointment in the future.
Next Steps:
Please allow time for your Practice to type and submit your referral via the Choose and Book system – at least 3 working days from your GP appointment is recommended. Phone the Devon Referral Support Services (DRSS) on the telephone number below and they will be able to advise you on how to proceed with your care and treatment.
The staff will need the Unique Booking Reference Number (UBRN)quoted below to be able to take you through the options available to you for your treatment. They will also ask you to confirm which GP practice you are registered with, your name, date of birthand address where you live.
If you would like more information about DRSS and the booking process, please see the ‘Further Information’ section on the other side of this sheet. This includes information about your legal right to start your NHS consultant-led treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral.
/ Telephone Number: / 01626 88 38 98
*Textphone (Minicom) users: Please phone 18001 and then the number above.
*Call charges may vary, please check with your phone provider.
The name of your GP Practice:
UBRN: / Password:
Specialty: / Urology
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm * Monday mornings are very busy and queues can be long (at times longer than 15 minutes), you may prefer to call at another time.
We have left the space below blank for you to write your appointment details:
For any other general help or queries or for large print, Braille or other language versions, please ring the:
Patient Helpline:01626 88 38 88
(Helpline opening hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm)
Please do not use this number for booking your appointment
/ Further Information
What is DRSS (Devon Referral Support Services)?
Devon Referral Support Services (DRSS) is a local NHS service that enables patients to access specialist treatment as quickly and efficiently as possible. DRSS will explain what choices are available to help you choose the most appropriate service. DRSS was previously known as the Devon Access and Referral Team (DART).
NHS Constitution – Waiting Times
You have the legal right to start your NHS consultant-led treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral, unless you choose to delay treatment or there is a medical reason why you should wait longer. The clock starts with the initial phone call with DRSS to book your appointment. Further information is available on the NHS Choices web site:
Is choice offered for all conditions?
A choice of hospital is available for most medical conditions. However, not all hospitals treat every medical condition. You may need to see a specialist GP or have a test, in which case you will not be offered a choice of hospital.
If I need treatment after my first appointment, will I be treated by the same hospital?
Usually you will be treated by the same hospital team but not all hospitals have the same equipment and facilities available to them so you may need to go to the main hospital site for further treatment. If you need very specialised treatment you may have to go to a specialist unit.
What happens if I want to change my choice of healthcare provider?
If you change your mind about your choice of provider after you have made an appointment please contact DRSS who can advise you on your options.
What if I need to change, or no longer require, my appointment?
Your healthcare provider may have confirmed your appointment in writing and supplied a contact number in their letter. If you need to change or cancel your appointment please use these details. If you have not received a confirmation letter, please ring DRSS for assistance.
Is there any help available with my travel arrangements for my appointment?
If your GP, or the person who referred you, thinks that you are eligible for non-emergency patient transport services (PTS) then please ask DRSS for details of who to contact when making your appointment. Patient transport services may not be available for all providers.
/ Feedback on your whole experience as a patient is important to us
From referral by your GP, booking your appointment through DRSS, through to the delivery of care at the clinic or hospital you attend. Please let us know about both positive and negative experiences so that we can improve the service.
- Visit and click on “Tell people what happened”.
- Phone 0800 122 3135 during working hours and tell your story to someone at Patient Opinion, who will put it on the web for you.
Patient Advice and Complaints Team (for Devon and East Cornwall patients)
If, at any point, you need help, support or advice on the NHS please contact the PALs and Complaints teams. They can be used to advise the best way forward for:
- Information and advice about the NHS and the services provided
- Help with health costs, individual funding processes or referral problems
- Concerns and complaints when you don’t know where to start