Referral information
Please use the links below to refer your patient to the appropriate service at East Kent Hospitals.
Select your service
As we are an acute service, referrals for a SLT assessment of communication and swallowing difficulties are received directly from staff on the ward.
To refer a patient to the Head and Neck Cancer SLT team, please use our referral form.
Download the Head and Neck SLT referral formPlease visit the Kent Community Health Foundation Trust website for information regarding community SLT services.
Our breast screening service is for women without symptoms.
GPs can arrange to refer patients for a mammogram or other tests if needed.
Very high risk referrals
Please send very high-risk referrals to us at ekhuft.kentbreastvhr@nhs.net.
Please download, fill and email the appropriate form below:
GP cardiac investigation referral form GP echocardiogram request formA child can be referred to our service by:
A parent or carer
A teacher
A health visitor
A nursery
A GP, or
Another professional.
Please ensure you read our inclusion criteria and requirements below for additional information before you submit your referral.
Sometimes we may decide on receiving a referral for your child that it is not appropriate or necessary for your child to be seen by our service. A letter will be sent explaining our reasons to the referrer.
When a child is referred to the service, they may need to be assessed by only one therapy or a combination of two or three.
Our therapy staff will triage the referral and at that point will accept or reject the referral according to the therapy criteria. They will also decide who needs to see the child at their first appointment and the details of this are included in the appointment letter. Referrals that are identified as particularly urgent are fast-tracked while all other referrals are offered an appointment as soon as possible.
Additional information is required with most referrals, listed below. If there is insufficient information on the referral form to make a clinical decision on the appropriate route to the service, the referral will be rejected with a request for more information.
Prior requirements to making a referral to OT/PT/SLT
Please check the inclusion criteria plus:
Occupational Therapy
Children with mild to moderate motor coordination difficulties affecting school progress are required to have participated in a structured motor programme (FIZZY, Jump Ahead) at school for a minimum of 50 sessions. Referrals will be returned where this is not the case. This must be evidenced on the additional information form - see below.
Speech and Language Therapy
Nursery school staff are asked to complete the Nursery Communication Screening Assessment Form and attach it to their referral. Please identify the areas of difficulties and the additional strategies in place and evidence the impact of these strategies for two terms prior to the referral.
Primary school staff are asked to carry out:
Language for Learning Quick Observation Based Assessment: Speech, Language and Communication,
Speech and/or Language Link screening assessments. Schools should discuss the speech link screen results with their Link Therapist before referral.
School staff should use these assessments to identify areas of difficulty and implement relevant Language for Learning strategies or targeted interventions (e.g. Speech Link or Language Link groups) for two terms prior to referral. These strategies or interventions should be additional to the standard good practice described in the Mainstream Core Standards.
If referral is still required, repeat the assessments and upload both before and after assessments (including the child’s responses on the Speech and/or Language Link assessments) to the online referral form. Information about the additional strategies or interventions carried out over the two terms, and the child’s response to these, is required on the referral form.
Referrers should also identify the outcome they would like from therapy, which means what they would like the child to be able to do following therapy (for example, to be able to ask for what they need at home, or explain what’s wrong when upset).
If the school do not subscribe to Speech/Language Link, please indicate this on the referral form.
Secondary Schools are asked to screen using the Secondary Communication checklist, put strategies in place and evidence the impact of these strategies on the referral form.
Paediatricians and GPs are asked to describe the concerns in as much detail as possible on the referral form and what impact this is having on the child and family. We need information on the child's understanding, expressive language, speech production and social skills.
Physiotherapy
Please check the inclusion criteria.
Inclusion Criteria
The following criteria are taken into account when considering referrals into the therapy service:
Speech and Language Therapy
Where a child needs speech and language support over and above the Mainstream Core Standards or Best Practice Guidance for Early Years
Where a child has received additional targeted support in school or pre-school with limited progress and further specialist advice is required. Please note a minimum of 2 terms intervention must be provided prior to a referral being made. We know that many children make progress once they start in full time education so two terms intervention within school must take place using targeted resources such as Speech Link and Language Link
Where the child's speech, language and communication needs are having a significant impact on learning and social participation, and these aren't explained by already identified needs (e.g. ASD/ADHD/specific learning needs)
Where the child presents as a selective communicator
Where the child has no functional communication
Where a child has feeding difficulties and is at risk of aspiration
Where a child has oro-motor based feeding difficulties. This does not include children with behaviour based feeding difficulties
Where the child has a significant hearing loss which is impacting on their speech. language and communication development.
Support for Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) should be the current priority for support. It may be that support needs to be in place for the following, before support for SLCN is appropriate:
Concerns focused on literacy difficulties as primary need
Concerns focused on SEMH
Main concerns relate to EAL where there are no concerns in the first language
Concerns focused on issues with social skills
SLCN responding to current interventions.
Occupational Therapy
Motor coordination difficulties with evidence of participation in a structured motor programme, e.g. Fizzy, Clever hands
Concerns re: handwriting with the exception of secondary referrals specifically related to special circumstances for exams which will not be accepted
Evidence of impact of physical or neurodevelopmental issues on everyday activities.
Physiotherapy
A Physiotherapist will see children whose gross motor skills are affected by a number of different causes, including:
Neuromuscular disorders e.g. muscular dystrophies
Neurological conditions e.g. cerebral palsy and head injuries excepting those requiring intensive rehabilitation for newly acquired/acute neurological conditions
Respiratory conditions e.g. cystic fibrosis
Rheumatological conditions e.g. juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Congenital disorders e.g. spina bifida, limb deficiencies
Orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions with a complex presentation impacting on access to education/ participation in daily function
Musculoskeletal pain concerns in pre-school children or children with Special Educational Needs. Other children need to be referred to Paediatric MSK. It is important to have ruled out any under lying medical condition which should be discussed with the child's GP prior to referral
Intensive rehabilitation following Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR)- this is only delivered where there is an individual contract in place with the Tertiary Centre
Delayed movement development where this is significantly greater than any other area of developmental delay or where the child has an uneven profile of development
Conditions where mobility is affected e.g. oncology
Congenital syndromes where gross motor development is delayed significantly more than any other area of developmental delay or where the child has an uneven profile of development. Children with DCD (Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties) are assessed by Occupational Therapy
Children with motor difficulties excluding those solely related to obesity.
Additional information required
If you are a Health Visitor, teacher, a GP or another professional, please note which additional information is required. As a paediatrician or GP, if you are unable to provide this please state reasons on the referral providing as much information as possible. Without the appropriate additional information the referral will not be accepted which will result in a delay in the child being seen.
Health Visitor: Health Visitor referring a pre-school child, please include the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and upload within the on line referral form as part of the report/clinic letter.
Physiotherapy
If you are referring a child for Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy will not be asking for any additional information over and above the referral form but the service does need a clinic letter/report to accompany referral where one is available.
Occupational Therapy
If you are referring a child for Occupational Therapy assessment, please attach the Occupational Therapy Additional Information form (download from this link).
Speech & Language Therapy
If you are in a school and referring a child with speech, language and/or communication needs, you will need to attach the following:
Nursery
If you are in a pre-school and referring a child with speech, language, and/or communication needs, you will need to attach a completed:
Nursery Communication Screening Assessment Nursery Communication Screening Assessment Pictures Speech Screen Photos Picture Set - Farm PicturesPrimary school
Quick Observation-Based Assessment Speech and Language and Communication Skills from the book Language for Learning in the Primary School. Sue Hayden and Emma Jordan available from: www.languageforlearning.co.uk (you cannot download this from this website), plus Speech Link and/or Language Link assessment results.
Secondary school
Secondary Communication Checklist Expressive Language Sample and Comprehension ScreenFeeding and Drinking
If you are referring a child specifically for a feeding or drinking related concern then please attach a completed:
Feeding, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing additional information formHearing Impairment
If you are referring a child with a recognised hearing loss please include with the referral form: A recent report including details of their hearing loss, eg Audiogram / ABR; Also include an indication on the referral form how the hearing loss is impacting their speech, language and communication skills.
Completing the relevant forms will provide the therapist(s) with valuable information for planning the assessment.
We thank you for your time in completing these. If you have any queries relating to these forms please contact your local service for advice.
Please note children and young people with a Canterbury, Faversham or Thanet GP need to refer to Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Referral form
Complete our online Children and Young People's therapy referral formPlease note this link is secure, and you do not need to password protect any additional documents.
For referrals to Kent Portage Service please complete the Portage referral form.
When you feel that a pre-child would benefit from support from more than one health professional (including key workers, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and community Paediatrician), use this form to refer children to the NHS Children's Care Co-ordination Team (formerly known as Early Support).
Download the NHS Children's Care Co-ordination team referral formReferrals for preschool children
Referrals for preschool children must be made via the NHS Children’s Care Coordinating Team (NHSCCCT). All children < 4 years old with difficulties in 2 or more developmental areas should be referred into this service using our referral form.
Download our Kent Children’s Care Coordination Team Pre-School referral formA referral to Portage can be made at the same time for those children not in nursery. If children are in nursery a nursery report should be included.
Children not yet in nursery but with concerns about possible ASD should also be referred via the NHSCCCT.
Children in nursery with concerns about possible ASD should be referred with a nursery report, and any other assessment reports e.g. speech and language.
Children referred for a developmental assessment can be referred using the referral form; please include any assessments already completed and a clear reason for the request.
Where a child is due to start school in the September (and the concerns relate to social communication) the referral should go via the school age below if the referral is being sent after April.
The referrals should be sent to the relevant email address on the referral form.
Referrals for school age children
Referrals from school must be completed via our online school referral form.
Children with concerns about possible ASD – please include a school report and any assessments already completed.
Transfers into our area – please send copies of all reports.
Please download, fill and email/fax the form below which contains all the necessary tests prior to the referral at the EKHUFT fertility service.
Email: karenbeagley@nhs.net
Tel: 01227 864369
For further information and referral forms, please contact Karen Beagley.
Referrals from local dentists and/or medical professionals are accepted via Vantage Rego.
Once the patient is accepted for a new patient consultation via the triage process, they will undergo a full and comprehensive restorative assessment at William Harvey Hospital, this may include further radiographs (if needed), and a comprehensive treatment plan.
All patients undergoing treatment within the Restorative department will be seen either at William Harvey Hospital or at Kent and Canterbury Hospital depending on what condition the patient has and who they need to see for treatment. Following the consultation appointment, a detailed report and treatment plan will be sent back to the referring clinician (and a copy to the patient). We may accept the patient for a course of treatment within the department. This treatment will be carried out by a Restorative Consultant or a member of their team working under the Consultant’s supervision. We expect patients to continue to see their local dentist for routine dental check-ups during their care within our department. This is based on the NHS shared cared model of patient care.
Please note; we cannot accept patients for treatment until all primary dental disease (caries and periodontal disease) has been stabilized. For Periodontal referrals, we can only accept referrals after the Primary care Dentist has completed 2 courses of non-surgical periodontal treatment under local anaesthesia (for all pockets ≥ 4mm) and the patient has good oral hygiene with plaque scores < 20%.
Restorative dentistry referral criteria
Please see below guidance for referring dental practitioners on Restorative complexity case acceptance at William Harvey Hospital.
Complex Periodontal acceptance criteria
Periodontitis, Stage III/ IV or Grade C - after you have completed 2 courses of non-surgical periodontal therapy (with local anaesthetic for all pockets ≥ 4mm) and the patient has good oral hygiene with plaque scores < 20%
Infrabony/Vertical defects
Recession defects
Periodontal surgical management
Crown lengthening surgery
Peri-implant disease advice only.
Complex Endodontic acceptance criteria
Dental trauma
Open apices
Separated instrument cases
Perforation management
Single/ Multiple root canals with curvature > 40°
Sclerosed canals
Peri-radicular surgery
Resorption cases.
Complex Prosthodontic acceptance criteria
Severe tooth surface loss requiring full mouth rehabilitation or increase in occlusal vertical dimension
Extra-coronal restorations requiring significant changes to occlusal vertical dimension
Implant supported restoration
Removable prosthesis (after the local dental practitioner has made 1 new/ or set of dentures within the last 1 year)
Prosthesis involving sectional dentures
Oro-facial defects requiring obturation.
GP referrals and outpatient clinics
The demand for appointments in Neurology Outpatients is very high. It is essential that waiting times are kept to a minimum to ensure patients with serious neurological illnesses receive timely assessment and management. Patients with some conditions may be better served by other specialities or be adequately managed in primary care. For these reasons please refer according to the guidelines below.
Please be reminded that only referrals made by general practitioners, through E- referral service will be accepted.
Download our guidelines for acceptance criteriaAcute Neurology Ward
Please note this is for referrals relating to Acute Neurology ward (Mount) & East Kent Neurorehabilitation Unit (EKNRU) Wards only.
All acute neurology referrals and repatriation of patients from King’s to Neurology at East Kent Hospitals must be addressed to the generic East Kent Neurological Unit (Treble Ward) Please send to: ekhuft.acuteneurologyreferrals@nhs.net.
They must be accompanied by a completed referral form.
Download the acute neurology ward referral formRepatriation to East Kent Neurological Unit is dependent upon acceptance by the Neurology Team.
Where a patient is accepted the Bed Manager for East Kent Hospitals will be aware as they are on the generic email list.
The generic email list regarding Repatriation includes all Neurology staff concerned with East Kent Neurological Unit, the Bed Manager at Kent & Canterbury hospital and the Neuroscience Bed Managers at King’s College Hospital and the particular referring Doctor in any case will be added to the list in relation to that case.
If rejected and referral to East Kent Neurorehabilitation Unit (EKNRU) is suggested, please refer as per process below.
If Rejected and referral to Medicine is suggested than the referring doctor should contact the medical registrar on call at either acute site QEQM Margate or WHH Ashford please ask through switchboard Phone: 01227 766877 (switchboard).
Refer to East Kent Neurorehabilitation Unit (EKNRU)
All Neuro-rehabilitation referrals and repatriation of patients from King’s to The East Kent Neurorehabilitation Unit (EKNRU) should send their completed EKNRU Referral forms to ekhuft.eknrureferrals@nhs.net for review by the MDT.
The East Kent Neurorehabilitation Unit (EKNRU) is at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital with 19 dedicated neurorehab beds. More information about the Unit and its service can be found in the Neurorehabilitation Unit patient leaflet.
If you need to discuss your referral with a member of the clinical team please contact the ward on Phone: 01227 868713
If Rejected and referral to Medicine is suggested than the referring doctor should contact the medical registrar on call at either acute site QEQM Margate or WHH Ashford please ask through switchboard Phone: 01227 766877 (switchboard)
Please fill in the form below for referrals to EKNRU and send to ekhuft.eknrureferrals@nhs.net
Download the neurorehabilitation unit referral formAddress: Harvey Ward, Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG
First seizure referral
Referring from anywhere within the trust for patients who present with a first seizure or suspicion of a first seizure. This is a referral form for first seizure only. Referrals for other neurological indications will not be accepted through this pathway.
Download the first seizure referral formRefer for motor neurone disease
Referrals to the team can be made by:
Person with M.N.D, family/relative or carer(s)
Consultant Neurologist (specialist in diseases of the nervous system)
GP
Other professionals involved in persons care.
Referrals can be made via letter, provided the person with MND is aware of and has a definite diagnosis.
Referrals should be made to:
Dr Moran, Consultant Neurologist
Cheryl Wright, Secretary to Dr Moran, telephone: 01227 868716
Christine Batts, MND Nurse Specialist, telephone: 07771 841690 (mobile)
Amelia Roberts, MND Specialist Nurse, telephone: 07768 272516
Kay Shaw, Secretary to MND nurse specialist, telephone: 01227 868093
Working hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8.30am to 2.30pm.
Tower Neuro Rehab Unit
Kent and Canterbury Hospital,
Ethelbert Road,
Canterbury,
Kent,
CT1 3NG
For referrals to the Radiological Science departments within our Trust, referrers include:
Registered medical and dental practitioners employed by EKHUFT
Registered healthcare professionals from EKHUFT and Community Health referring under agreed protocols
General Practitioners
Nurse practitioners and other registered healthcare professionals referring to EKHUFT under agreed protocol
Registered dental practitioners referring from the Community Dental Service and private practice
Registered medical and dental practitioners not employed by EKHUFT, referring from other NHS Trusts or private hospitals.
If you wish to refer a patient to the EKHUFT for an X-ray or Nuclear Medicine examination, then you need to follow the recommended referral guidelines. This is important to ensure that your request is appropriate and justifiable, and hence that delays for your patient can be avoided. For registered healthcare professionals other than General Practitioners, it is also important for there to be an agreement with EKHUFT that entitles you to refer. If you work within a GP practice, then this agreement should be set up through your practice.
Key referral criteria
Login to iRefer, username (case sensitive): EastKent-2018 / Password (case sensitive): EastKentXray1.
For advice on setting up an agreement to refer for registered healthcare professionals, other than medical or dental practitioners, or regarding referral guidelines please contact:
Deputy General Manager, Radiological Sciences on 01227 864266 or via switchboard 01227 766877.
Clinical responsibility for vascular services in east Kent, Medway and Maidstone areas is with the Kent and Medway Vascular Network, provided by East Kent Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT).
Acute referrals
Patients requiring inpatient vascular treatment in the Medway, Maidstone and east Kent areas will be treated at Kent and Canterbury Hospital (EKHUFT).
Complex cases, especially thoracic aortic emergencies, will be treated at St Thomas’ in London (Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust).
Day surgery is provided at both Medway Maritime and Kent and Canterbury hospitals.
Patients access vascular outpatient clinics and diagnostic tests at their local hospitals in Medway, Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury and Margate.
Download the referral pathway for vascular surgeryEmergency referrals
Discuss with East Kent Vascular Surgery Registrar on 07974 612680
Ruptured or symptomatic AAA
Acute limb ischaemia
Critically unwell vascular patients / bleeding.
Discuss with St Thomas’ Vascular Surgery Registrar on 07717 513348
Aortic dissection / thoracic aortic problems.
Urgent referrals: require urgent inpatient review or follow up
Discuss with Vascular Surgery Registrar on 07974 612680
Severe diabetic foot infection
Critical limb ischaemia with sepsis
Stroke/TIA for carotid endarterectomy
Upper limb and iliofemoral DVT
Digital ischaemia.
Semi-urgent: may require inpatient review or outpatient follow up
Use Careflow app to discuss with Vascular SpR on call
Chronic critical limb ischaemia
Incidental AAA
Acute uncomplicated DVT.
Non-urgent: require outpatient appointment / follow up
Refer to: ekhuft.KMvascularservice@nhs.net
Claudication
Asymptomatic carotid stenosis
Leg ulcers (venous / non-arterial / diabetic)
Symptomatic varicose veins.
Primary care referrals
All new primary care referrals for vascular services for patients in Medway, Maidstone and east Kent are to be made to East Kent Hospitals and will be managed by the Kent and Medway Vascular Network.
If you are a GP in Medway, east Kent or the Maidstone area of west Kent please select EKHUFT on the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) when referring patients to vascular services, and not a London hospital.
Contact details
Kent and Medway Network vascular team: 01227 868686
Kent and Canterbury Hospital switchboard: 01227 766877 (for named consultant)