NHS England’s e-Referral Service (e-RS) Programme Team is seeking input from GPs and practice staff to help shape how information about patient self-referrals is managed nationally. Patients can self-refer to services such as MSK, breast screening, mental health, maternity, sexual health and podiatry, but practices may not always know when a referral has taken place or may later receive outcomes or requests for additional information.

NHS England (NHSE) would like to understand what information practices genuinely need to receive about self-referrals, while avoiding unnecessary information in already busy inboxes. They are looking for GPs and practice staff who handle incoming correspondence or have experience of self-referral outcomes or information requests. Participants do not need to be experts, and NHSE particularly welcomes views on what practices should see when patients self-refer, including from people who use assistive technology or have specific access needs.

Participation involves a single 60-minute remote conversation via Microsoft Teams, arranged around participants’ availability, with no preparation required.

Sessions begin from Monday 12 October, interested colleagues can complete the short online screener or email taybah.akhtar2@nhs.net. Completing the screener does not commit participants to taking part.

Please share with both clinical and administrative colleagues within GP practices.