Choose and Book will be replaced by SENTINEL from
1st September
If your doctor tells you that a referral to a Specialist is to be made for you, do not forget to ask a member of the Reception staff for your NHS number
Information for Patients
Make sure you have been given a copy of this information before you leave the surgery
Your telephone contact information?
It will be important to have your telephone contact details available so that a member of staff from Sentinel can contact you. Please ensure you notify your GP practice of your most up to date telephone contact, this can include a mobile or work telephone number.
What is Sentinel?
Sentinel is a local service managed by a group of Plymouth GPs for Plymouth patients and the wider community.
Your GP wishes to access further advice and care for you and Sentinel will manage this process as quickly and efficiently as is possible. It will help you choose the most appropriate service for your needs and explain the choices available to you.
Once your GP decides to access further management what can you expect to happen ?
At all times we will keep you informed of what is happening, you will be telephoned by a member of staff from Sentinel Clinical Assessment Service who will be able to tell you everything you need to know about your ongoing care.
Sentinel will identify the best clinical pathway for you and advise you and your GP of this pathway. This may include:
q Fast-tracking of investigations or diagnostics
q Treatment in the community
q Specialist clinician
q Hospital of your choice
Your reference – what information will you be asked for?
You will be asked for your NHS Number, you will also be asked by one of the Sentinel staff to confirm your name, date of birth and address where you live.
Your NHS Number:
Once your GP decides to refer you on for further management what will happen next?
Step 1 | Your GP will give you this paperwork which explains what will happen next with your referral and the choices available to you. You do not need to phone or contact Sentinel unless you have a question or you have not heard from the service. |
Step 2 | Once your referral has been received you will be contacted within five working days by a member of the Sentinel staff to discuss what happens next. This may include choosing your hospital, booking your appointment or updating you on what is happening with your referral. |
Step 3 | You may need to be seen for an appointment or test. If you are then you will be able to arrange your date and time to be seen. At this stage it maybe useful to have your diary to hand, this will help us progress your care. |
Waiting times
You can now expect to be seen from referral to treatment within 18 weeks, therefore it is vital that you let your GP or Sentinel know if you will not be available for an appointment. You will need to be socially ready which means you will be available within 6 weeks for your appointment. You will also need to be medically ready to attend your appointment and any subsequent treatment that you may need, as an example this may mean any high blood pressure or diabetes is under control . This will help make sure you can be seen and minimise any further delays.
Smoking cessation – ‘Stop before your Op’
If you are going to require an operation then you can improve your recovery by taking action right now. If you stop smoking before your operation then you should recover quickly and, therefore spend less time in hospital. How do I get help? – Most GP practices have a trained Stop Smoking Adviser, usually the practice nurse. Ask at you surgery if you can have an appointment. Your local NHS Stop Smoking Service has highly trained Stop Smoking Advisers who can see you individually or join you up to a course with other quitters. Ring 01752 314040 for an appointment or more information.
Your questions answered?
q Is choice offered for all medical 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 specialised GP or have a test, if you do then you will not be offered a choice of hospital.
q Is there help available for my travel arrangements to get to hospital?
If your GP or the person who referred you feels that you are not physically able to get to hospital, they will be able to give you the contact number of the TAPS service who will help you arrange your transport.
q What happens if I change my mind?
If you decide that you do not want to be treated by the hospital that you have chosen or you don’t want your appointment, you can go back to your GP or Sentinel who will go through the options available to you.
Your telephone contact information?
It will be important to have your telephone contact details available so that a member of staff from Sentinel can contact you. Please ensure you notify your GP practice of your most up to date telephone contact, this can include a mobile or work telephone number.
Where can I find out more information?
Your GP Practice | |
( Telephone | 0845 155 8283 |
* E-mail | ply-pct.Sentinel@nhs.net |
: Internet | www.nhs.uk |
( Patient Transport Services (TAPS) (to arrange transport where medically eligible) | 0845 053 9100 |
If you have particular needs with this document eg. Print size, language, Braille please contact the Public Information Service on 01752 272511 or e-mail ask@pcs-tr.swest.nhs.uk | Version 3.0 Published 01-Mar-09 Review 01-Mar-10 |