Hospital 'Expedite Letter'

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 rarely results in your appointment being brought forward.

If your gallbladder or arthritis pain is worse, if your mobility has reduced, or your tinnitus increased, this is not something that a GP can measure. We take your word for it and a hospital should too. Only the hospital can compare your needs with those other patients on their waiting list.

Concept House Surgery has created two letters for you to use if you want to inform a hospital of a change in your symptoms. One is for patients waiting for the first appointment with a specialist, the second is for patients waiting for a follow-up appointment, treatment or operation.

Please download and print your letter, completing your details and explaining the change in your symptoms. You should post your letter to either outpatient appointments (for first appointments) or your consultant's secretary (for follow-up care). Please click on these links for the addresses of local hospitals:

First Appointment Expedite Letter 

Follow Up Appointment Expedite Letter 

You can also contact the hospital's PACT (Patient Advice and Complaints Team) who offer confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.

Local PACT Contact Information 

In the event in a change of a potentially life-threatening health condition - for example a known cancer, or heart or lung symptoms - please contact Concept House Surgery, or in an emergency 999 or 111 in the first instance.