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"Obtaining a specialist appointment"

About: Devon Access and Referral Team (DART)

(as the patient),

I saw my GP at my surgery in late November and received the instruction letter re: DART 2 days later.

I waited until early December to call DART. I was told that they had not received the letter from my surgery yet. I again waited until the following Tuesday to telephone again. The person who answered said they still had not received the letter and said they would telephone the surgery right away [that morning] and call me back. I didn’t get a call until the end of that week. The person said that they needed more information from the surgery and would call back. I got a call back as I remember later that day saying that I would be contacted to make an appointment within 3 days or just after 3 days.

As of noon today I have still heard nothing. I feel virtually helpless within a system that I neither understand nor feel cared for. Thankfully, my symptom is under control from self-medication so I am not in any acute danger.

Am I to understand that my situation is not abnormal?

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Responses

Response from Gemma Smith, Project Support Manager - Devon Referral Support Services, Devon Access & Referral Team (DART) 10 years ago
Gemma Smith
Project Support Manager - Devon Referral Support Services,
Devon Access & Referral Team (DART)
Submitted on 24/12/2013 at 14:50
Published on Care Opinion at 17:24


Dear ‘Skywatcher’

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us about your referral experience, I can only apologise for the delay in getting this sorted for you. I would be very interested to look into this further for you and would appreciate the chance to speak with you to obtain some more details relating to your referral. I would also like to ensure that your referral letter has now been submitted by your GP surgery and an appointment offered where possible.

I am available today (24/12/13) until 5pm on 01626 883712 or our helpdesk team are available on 01626 883 888 throughout the Christmas period. Our opening hours during Christmas are as follows:

- Christmas Eve 8-5pm

- Christmas Day - CLOSED

- Boxing Day - CLOSED

- 27th December - 8-5pm

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Wishes

Gemma Tremlett

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