In the last 12 months in England, have you, or someone you wish to represent:

  • Been referred by your GP practice to a specialist for a consultation, tests, diagnosis or treatment?
  • Had a stay in hospital and needed follow-up care, therapy or medication after you were discharged?

If the answer is yes, please tell us your/their experience of the NHS communications (such as letters, phone calls etc) that you/they received and help the NHS understand what is working and what could be better. Taking part will take around  5 - 6  minutes of your time.

If you are completing the survey on behalf of someone else, please feel free to complete another one if you have experiences of your own you wish to share.

 

What do we mean by NHS communications?

When patients seek healthcare or support from the NHS, there are several ways in which you might receive information about appointments, referrals, medications, patient transport and how to look after yourself whilst waiting. This can include telephone calls, letters, emails, text messages, messages via the NHS app.

 

What is a referral?
It's when a medical professional at a GP practice sends a patient to a specialist at a hospital or community clinic for a consultation, further tests, diagnosis or treatment. A referral can be made for many reasons, such as a hip replacement, MRI scan, physio, mental health services, endoscopy, outpatient procedures and more. A referral can happen during a phone or face-to-face appointment.

 

What do we mean by follow up care after hospital discharge?

After spending time in hospital, some patients need to receive care or treatment to continue their recovery at home. The care or treatment could involve some physical therapy, additional medications, wound care, a short stay in a community hospital or care home, or some help from carers at home, and more.

 

Throughout your care (or the care of the person you are responding for) did you find the healthcare communications (for example letters, phone calls, text messages, emails etc) timely, clear and easy to follow? Was it clear what you/they needed to do next?

We'll use survey responses to help the NHS hear what is working and how they can improve care.

We will publish our findings, but any information you have shared will be anonymous. Please read our privacy statement for more details.