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<p>The information requested is not held centrally. Referrals are made from general
practitioners (GPs) using the electronic referral system (eRS). If there is no availability
on the eRS for a particular provider, the referrer uses the ‘defer to provider’ function
to send the referral to the provider of choice, with an appointment made directly
with the patient. There are no restrictions on a GP referring the patient to a particular
provider. Following a referral to a hospital, the patient will be contacted when an
appointment becomes available and will be managed in order of clinical priority.</p><p>Hospitals
are required to validate patients on waiting lists at intervals to determine whether
it remains appropriate for that patient. NHS England has also developed the ‘My Planned
Care’ national patient platform, which is communicated to patients. This contains
waiting time information updated weekly at provider and specialty level. In addition,
clinical guidelines are developed to enable patients to manage their condition and
optimise their health while waiting for treatment. Information is also provided on
voluntary sector organisations which can support patients.</p>
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