Referral

Torbay and South Devon Pre-choice Triage/Advice & Guidance

Devon Clinical Commissioning Groups and Providers are looking at developing the most effective way of providing GPs with clinical advice for non urgent cases.

Currently alongside the assortment of email, letter, phone calls, etc, there has been the introduction of both Pre-choice Triage (PCT) and Advice and Guidance (A&G) using the e-Referral system. These functionalities are being rolled out across Devon at varying degrees by providers.

Advice and Guidance - A two way conversation on e-Referral (eRS) system directly between GP and Consultant. This allows the attachment of documents. If a subsequent referral is required, this is then requested by the GP through eRS/ DRSS. Please see here for instructions on how to use Advice & Guidance on NHS e-Referral.

Pre-choice Triage - Referral is reviewed on eRS by a medical/allied health professional prior to the patient phoning DRSS to make an appointment. The outcome may be signposting to a Secondary Service, advice for GP, upgrade to 2ww, straight to test. DRSS act on the response and book accordingly.

Pre-choice Triage Service provided by local hospitalAdvice & Guidance Service provided on eRS
AllergyYes - provided by UHPNo
Biochemistry (Diagnostic Pathology/Blood Test)NoNo
CardiologyNo 

e-Referrals

Clinical Genetics CancerNo

No

Clinical GeneticsNo

No

ColorectalNoe-Referrals
Child & Adolescent - MedicalNoe-Referrals
Child & Adolescent - OrthopaedicsNo

No

DermatologyNo

e-Referrals

Diabetic MedicineNoe-Referrals
Diabetic Nurse SpecialistNoe-Referrals
ENTNoe-Referrals
EndocrinologyNoe-Referrals
General MedicineNoNo
Geriatric MedicineNoe-Referrals
GastroenterologyNoe-Referrals
GynaecologyNoe-Referrals
HaematologyNoe-Referrals
ImmunologyYes - provided by UHPNo
Microbiology (Infectious Diseases/NOS)No 

No

NeurologyNoe-Referrals
NeurosurgeryNoNo
OphthalmologyNoe-Referrals
Orthopaedics - Foot & AnkleNoe-Referrals
Orthopaedics - Hand & WristNoe-Referrals
Orthopaedics - HipNoe-Referrals
Orthopaedics - KneeNoe-Referrals
Orthopaedics - Shoulder & ElbowYese-Referrals
Orthopaedics - SpineNoe-Referrals
Pain ManagementNoe-Referrals
PodiatryNo

e-Referrals

RespiratoryNoNo
Rheumatology
Noe-Referrals
Rheumatology - OsteoporosisYes

e-Referrals

Sleep MedicineNoe-Referrals
Surgery BreastNoNo
Surgery - Not Otherwise SpecifiedNoe-Referrals
Surgery PlasticsNoNo
Surgery VascularNo

No

Upper GI SurgeryNo e-Referrals
UrologyYese-Referrals

UHP - University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Updated: February 2022