When you see your GP or another member of the team, it is important to give details of your availability and to let them know if you require an interpreter at your appointment. Also, it is important that you ensure that your contact details are up to date.
Types of referral explained
Virtual fracture clinic
You may have been referred to virtual fracture clinic after attending A&E, Minor Injuries Department or your GP if you have been injured and need to see someone in the Orthopaedic team. The virtual fracture clinic is a telephone service, you will receive a telephone call from the virtual fracture clinic to discuss your injury. We aim to call you within 72 hours.
Vetted referral
A clinical member of the orthopaedic team will vet your referral. They will then decide which is the right clinician for you to attend depending on your condition, this may be a surgeon, nurse, physiotherapist, podiatrist or plaster technician. Your appointment may be face-to-face, by telephone or video call. This information will be detailed in your appointment letter.
Occasionally an appointment isn’t needed. This could be because our service needs more information first from the referrer or that you don’t require any orthopaedic treatment. In these cases, we will write back to your referrer.
ACRT (Active Clinical Referral Triage)
ACRT is when you are referred to us by your GP and we send you information about your condition, for example carpal tunnel syndrome. This leaflet should cover self-care, exercises and condition management information. It may be that this is enough for you to manage your condition. If, however, you still feel that you need an appointment, the leaflet will provide information on how to be added to the waiting list for an appointment.
