Waiting for a Hospital Appointment or Treatment?

We understand that waiting for hospital care can be really difficult, especially if you’re in pain or worried about your health.

What Is an ‘Expedite’ Letter – and Do They Work?

Sometimes patients are advised to ask their GP for an “expedite letter” to try to bring a hospital appointment forward. We completely understand why you might ask — it’s hard to wait when you’re unwell.

However, hospital teams have advised GP practices that they do not usually act on expedite letters. Decisions about who is seen sooner are made by hospital specialists, based on clinical need and priority.

Who Submits an ‘Expedite’ Letter?

Who submits an expedite letter depends on whether your referral has been triaged by Secondary Care. This determines whether the GP practice can submit an expedite on your behalf, or whether you will need to contact the hospital team directly.

How Will I Know If My Referral Has Already Been Triaged?

You will usually be informed once your referral has been triaged by Secondary Care. This may be via a letter, text message, email, or through the hospital’s patient portal. The communication often confirms that your referral has been reviewed and may include information about waiting times, priority level, or next steps.

If you are unsure whether your referral has been triaged, you can contact the hospital’s booking or referrals team directly, or speak to your GP practice for clarification.

Requesting an Expedite for a Referral That Has Not Yet Been Triaged

If your referral has been sent to Secondary Care but has not yet been triaged and graded, and your symptoms have changed or worsened, we can submit an expedite letter on your behalf.

An appointment is not necessarily required unless the clinician needs to re-examine you. Please explain in as much detail as possible how your symptoms have worsened or changed, so we can pass this information on to the triaging team.

Requesting an Expedite for a Triaged Referral

If your referral has already been triaged and graded by Secondary Care and your symptoms have changed or worsened — for example, increased pain, reduced mobility, or changes in hearing — the hospital needs to be informed.

These are changes only you can describe, and it is best to contact the hospital team directly to explain how your symptoms have changed.

Contacting the Hospital Team (United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust)

If you are waiting to be seen by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and your condition has changed, please contact your hospital team as soon as possible.

Outpatient contact numbersPhone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Please be aware that call volumes are highest on Mondays, Tuesdays, and during mornings. The best times to call are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons.

HUB 1

Contact number: 01522 573200 / 01522 573199

  • Ophthalmology

  • Paediatric Trauma and Orthopaedics

  • Orthoptic

  • Paediatric Urology

  • Trauma & Orthopaedics

  • Urology

HUB 2

Contact number: 01522 573200 / 01522 573199

  • Breast Surgery

  • Gynaecology

  • Lincoln Obstetrics

  • General Paediatrics

HUB 3

Contact number: 01522 573200 / 01522 573199

  • Colorectal Surgery

  • ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)

  • General Surgery

  • Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery

  • Maxillofacial Surgery

  • Orthodontics

  • Paediatric Surgery

  • Vascular Surgery

HUB 4

Contact number: 01205 446422

  • Respiratory Medicine

  • Endocrinology & Lipid

  • Diabetic Medicine (including Diabetic Foot)

  • Cardiology

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Nephrology

  • Neurology

HUB 5

Contact number: 01205 446422

  • Sleep Service

  • Fertility Service

  • Dermatology

  • Paediatric Dermatology

  • Rheumatology

  • Gastroenterology (including IBS/IBD)

  • Hepatology

  • General Medicine

  • Critical Care Medicine

  • HCOP

  • Transient Ischaemic Attack / Stroke

  • PHB Obstetrics

  • Midwifery Service

HUB 6

Contact number: 01476 464740

  • Clinical Nurse Specialists

  • Grantham Obstetrics

  • Clinical Haematology

  • Clinical Oncology