Supporting clinical referral pathways – NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS)
Find out about the different channels available in e-RS via which a referrer may obtain a clinical opinion and/or refer a patient
Clinical advice/referral channels in e-RS
An e-RS referral can be made into:
- either a directly bookable service - in which case the patient needs to book an appointment before the referral can be processed further
- or a triage/assessment service - where the referral information is assessed first, without an appointment being pre-booked
In addition, advice can be obtained by a referrer from an advice and guidance service, before (or instead of) making a referral.
More information on the following different referral channels are described on this page:
- advice and guidance
- referral assessment service
- directly bookable service
Advice and guidance (A&G)
This function allows a referrer to enter into dialogue with a provider (consultant) around a patient’s care.
If the outcome of the advice dialogue is to refer, the referrer can easily convert the A&G dialogue into a referral.
Review the A&G toolkit for more information.
Referral assessment service (RAS)
RAS enables the referrer to send a referral to the provider clinician to enable them to assess the clinical information and/or triage the patient, prior to (or instead of) booking an appointment. Responsibility rests with the provider in booking any subsequent appointments.
Find out more about RASs.
Directly bookable service
A provider can set up a service that directly links to their appointments system. This allows the patient to select an appointment and book it.
Clinical examples of when to use each model
Advice and guidance model
Clinical presentation - Referrer receives an abnormal set of blood results for a patient, and is considering a referral, but unsure if this is needed.
Outcome - Advice given on the interpretation of results and referrer advised on alternatives to referral.
Referral assessment service model
Clinical presentation - Referrer wants to refer a patient to their local cardiology service, with symptoms of exacerbation of their heart failure condition.
Outcome - Specialist triages referral and patient sent direct for an echocardiogram, prior to review in an outpatient appointment. Admin team contact patient and book their echo appointment and outpatient appointment.
Directly bookable service model
Clinical presentation - Referrer examines a patient who has a inguinal hernia and the patient and referrer agree that a referral is required, as it is causing pain
Outcome - Referrer finds general surgical clinics that deal with inguinal hernias and patient is offered a choice of providers from which they can book directly into the hospital with the shortest waiting times
Last edited: 25 July 2024 1:51 pm