While you are waiting for your hospital appointment

We understand this can be a worrying time, and reports of the NHS in crisis mean that there are uncertainties around how quickly you will be seen for your health problem.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Your GP will complete the referral to the specialist. This will be sent to them and triaged by the hospital team to determine how quickly you are seen. Appointments are Urgent or Routine.

WHEN WILL I HEAR WHEN MY APPOINTMENT IS?
Currently waits are variable between departments and hospitals and can be quite long. You can check expected waiting times through the NHS website

I WANT TO BE SEEN QUICKER, WHAT CAN I DO?
There is a large backlog of patients waiting to be seen, and they are all being triaged in the same way. If your condition changes and you are experiencing more pain or feel more unwell, and you have not had your first appointment with the hospital, book a review consultation with your GP. If you have already been seen at the hospital and are waiting for treatment, then please contact the hospital team directly to get a review. If your condition is the same as it was on the day you were referred then there will be no change in your waiting time. Please be assured that NHS teams are working as fast as they can to see everyone as soon as possible.

WHAT CAN I DO WHILE I AM WAITING?
Reasons for referral to hospital vary widely, as a general rule anything you can do to optimise your health while waiting will help you. Is your referral likely to lead to an operation? Try and ensure you are a healthy weight and get your blood pressure checked. If you smoke think about stopping and if you have diabetes keep your blood sugar under control, all these things will help you to recover faster. There are tips and means of support on the Kent One You website

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
Kent and Medway NHS advice on hospital waiting times
General advice on how to help yourself

 

All test results/radiology reports go back to the clinician who referred you for the initial report.

If this is a consultant you will need to ring the consultant’s secretary to chase any results.

Location of service

Service

Contact details

North Kent Community Diagnostic Centre (NKCDC) East Hill, Dartford

OR

Queen Mary’s Hospital

Ultrasound booking hub (the hub is based at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup

020 3960 5522/5521/5523

Darent Valley Hospital

Radiology

 

 

01322 428100

Ultrasound x 8572

MRI x 8556

CT x 8560

Obs and Gynae x 8331

Medway Maritime Hospital

Audiology

01634 825041

met-tr.audiologymedway@nhs.net

Darent Valley Hospital

Physiotherapy

01322 428588

dgn-tr.physio@nhs.net

Darent Valley Hospital

Heart Centre/cardiology

01322 428106

dgn-tr.cardiodiagnosticenquiries@nhs.net

For ECG, Tilt Test, 24 hour ambulatory ECG or any cardiology diagnostic tests

Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary’s Hospital

Endoscopies

dgn-tr.endoscopybooking@nhs.net

To change or cancel procedure

Various

e-RS (choose and book referrals)

If an appointment was booked via e-RS patient needs to book, change or cancel appointment or referral then this will need to be done via the website or by calling

0345 608 8888

Book an appointment using the NHS e-Referral Service - NHS

Darent Valley Hospital

 

Medway Maritime Hospital

 

Gravesham Community Hospital

 

Maidstone Hospital

 

 

Appointments/Outpatients

 

 

01322 428350/349

 

01634 969800

 

01322 428100

 

 

Head & Neck

01622 228218

 

Surgery Breast, Urology and Pain

01622 228220

 

Trauma & Orthopaedics

01622 228221

 

Women’s & Children

01622 228222

 

General Medicine, Rheumatology, Neurology, Care of Elderly, Respiratory, Diabetes and Cardiology

01622 228219

Darent Valley Hospital

Main switchboard

01322 428100

Erith & District Hospital

Main switchboard

01322 356182

Gravesham Community Hospital

Main switchboard

01474 360500

Livingstone Community

Diagnostic Centre

Main switchboard

01322 242222

Queen Mary’s Hospital

Main switchboard

0208 302 2678

Maidstone Hospital

Main switchboard

01622 729000

Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Pembury

Main switchboard

01892 823535

Fordcombe Hospital, Tunbridge Wells

Main switchboard

01892 740047

Healthshare/Cora

Orthopaedic triage/physio

01474 240415

Arndale House, Dartford

Community Mental Health Together Team – Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley

01322 947444

OR

Contact us - Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust