Useful Information

Only the hospital can compare your needs with those of other patients on their waiting list and they will action your request accordingly.

If you want to inform a hospital of a change in your symptoms, you may use the template provided when contacting the hospital. (Copy and paste template, then add your details and remove any brackets as necessary)

You should post your letter to either Outpatient Appointments for first letter appointments or your consultant’s secretary for follow-up care.

Dear Consultant,

I am awaiting care from you for

<Write your original problem here>.

I have been referred by my GP at Lingwell Croft Surgery

I await an appointment and / or treatment but report the following change in my condition since my referral was sent to you:

I request that you take the following action:

Review my hospital notes alongside this letter to determine whether my care might be expedited
Contact me directly to inform me of the outcome of that decision, and my likely wait for further care
File this letter and document your decision in my medical record.

Dear Consultant,

I am receiving care from you for <Write your original problem here>.

I await a follow-up appointment and / or treatment but report the following change in my condition since your last contact with me:

I request that you take the following action:

Review my hospital notes alongside this letter to determine whether my care might be expedited
Contact me directly to inform me of the outcome of that decision, and me likely wait for further care
File this letter and document your decision in my medical record.

Who Should Attend?

Family members, support workers, healthcare professionals, and anyone involved in caring for individuals with learning disabilities, mental health conditions, or autism.

Why Participate?

– Enhance your knowledge and skills.

– Improve the quality of care you provide.

– Connect with a supportive community of fellow carers.

If you would like to attend any or all of these programmes, take a look at the flyers attached which details the dates and times of each session and also includes the booking links for each session.

Please note that this training is free and held virtually on Zoom.

When unsure about the need to see a doctor or other professional, people can sometimes call their primary care doctor for guidance. Some doctors can be contacted by e-mail for nonemergency questions. Others prefer to be contacted by telephone. Doctors cannot give set guidelines for when to see a doctor and when it is unnecessary because symptoms with the same cause vary too much and symptoms with different causes overlap too much. However, some problems clearly require a call to a health care professional.

Cold or Influenza	Vomiting or inability to keep fluids down Painful swallowing Coughing that lasts more than 2 or 3 weeks Earache Symptoms that last more than 7 days
Diarrhea	Black or bloody stools More than 6 to 8 watery stools in children Symptoms of dehydration (such as very dry mouth and armpits, confusion, and decreased urination), particularly in children and older people
Digestive problems	A feeling that food is stuck in the throat Development of or change in heartburn, particularly during exercise Frequent heartburn, belching, or regurgitation Persistent or severe abdominal pain Persistent nausea
General problems	Symptoms that prevent participation in usual activities, particularly new or worsened shortness of breath with exertion Unexplained weight loss Dizziness or an about-to-faint feeling Persistent fatigue Sweating, especially heavy or cold sweats
Headaches	Severe headache that peaks in intensity within seconds Memory loss or confusion Blurred or double vision Slurred speech Loss of balance or dizziness Seizures Numbness or weakness in the arms, legs, or face Nausea
Heart problems	Rapid or galloping heartbeats (palpitations) Chest pain
Leg problems	Pain in the calves that worsens when walking Swelling in the ankles or legs
Menstrual problems	No periods by age 16 Sudden stopping of periods A period that lasts much longer than usual or is excessively heavy A sudden feeling of illness while using tampons Severe or disabling cramps
Rash	Fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or above A rash that is painful, involves swelling, or oozes
Sinusitis	Swelling or redness in or around an eye Problems with vision
Vomiting	Moderate or severe abdominal pain Symptoms of dehydration, particularly in children and older people Green, black, or bloody vomit

Useful Information

Symptom Checker

Hospital ‘expedite letter’

Letter for a first appointment with a specialist:

Letter for a for a follow-up appointment:

Hospital addresses

FREE TRAINING FOR CARER’s

Information on Coronavirus

Antimicrobial Resistance- Help us keep Antibiotics Working

Local Pharmacies

Local Dentists

Local Opticians

Leeds Directory

Information Leaflets

CQC – 17th January 2019

Reasons to Call a Doctor