A cross-sector template for making safe, timely and well-documented referrals and for maintaining continuity of care when patients are referred on or discharged.
This policy is fully drafted and structured, ready to brand and complete for your service. It covers:
1. Purpose
2. Scope
3. Policy statement and principles
4. Definitions
5. Deciding to refer and gaining consent
6. Referral content and information standard
7. Referral urgency categories and timescales
8. Urgent and suspected-cancer pathways
9. Tracking, closed-loop assurance and failsafe
10. Continuity of care, discharge and handover
11. Safeguarding and information-sharing on referral
12. Roles and responsibilities
13. Training
14. Monitoring, audit and review
15. Related documents
16. Glossary
17. References
Legislation & standards it maps to
Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009
UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
Data Protection Act 2018
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Equality Act 2010
Access to Health Records Act 1990
Human Rights Act 1998
Who it applies to
All clinical, administrative and management staff, including locums, agency workers, students, contractors and volunteers, who make, receive, action or track referrals on behalf of [Organisation Name].
How it works
Buy securely with Stripe - instant, no VAT, no account needed.
Download your editable Word file from the link we email you straight away.
Complete the placeholders for your service, then have it approved before use.
Add the optional updates subscription and we keep it current as guidance changes.