NHS Digital has detailed guidance on how to make a referral in e-RS. We suggest you start there if you need any help using e-RS!

• How to initiate & complete a referral in e-RS
• How to deal with appointment slot issues (ASIs) → when no clinic appointment is available to book in e-RS, the referral can be deferred so that the service provider books the appointment.
• How to initiate advice and guidance (A&G) → if the GP is unsure of how to refer a patient, they may ask you to initiate an A&G request.
• When making an A&G request, once it is processed and a consultation is made on EMIS, add the code → ‘Choose and book advice and guidance request’
• NB. An A&G request does not initiate referral to treatment (RTT) clock, until a request is converted to a referral.
• Using the Referral Assessment Service (RAS) → this service allows the referral to be clinically triaged before deciding on the most appropriate onward pathway, and is used where it's not clear if the patient needs a consultant appointment or diagnostic test.
• Using the Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) → similar to RAS, this service allows the referral to be clinically triaged before deciding on the most appropriate onward referral pathway.
• NB. When booking a CAS, advise the patient not to attend or reschedule the dummy appointment.

Worklists in e-RS give you an overview of referrals that have been initiated (either by you or anyone working at the surgery) but need further action.

• Managing worklists in e-RS
• Reviewing advice and guidance responses
• Processing Did Not Attend referrals

NB:

• If a referral is rejected, you must inform the patient ASAP.
• If you don’t get a response via A&G, escalate the issue to the provider (see boxes 👉).
• If a patient contacts the surgery because the provider has not arranged an appointment, or the ASI remains on your worklist, do not cancel or duplicate the referral. Instead, escalate to the provider (see box on right-hand side).