Reviewed on : 1 Dec 2025

Reviewed by : Paula Dodgson & GP Gateway Editor

Expires : 1 Dec 2027

UHCW GP Liaison working hours will be limited from 10:00 until 18:00 until further notice due to staff absence 

GP Liaison Service: GP referrals to UHCW

GP Liaison takes referrals for all medical specialities except Neurosurgery, Children and Surgery

Referrals also accepted for:

• Medical Same Day Emergency Care SDEC (formerly Medical Decisions Unit MDU/MAU).Located on Ground Floor, walk past the Charity Office and the Lifts on the Left
• Frailty/Frailty SDE Located on the Ground Floor, walk past the Charity Office and the Lifts and entrance is situation before the double doors at the end of the corridor

GP Liaison Contact:

Paula Dodgson GP Liaison Nurse     

• Telephone: 024 7696 6223
• GP Hotline via Switchboard: 02476 965012
• Bleep 1424 via switchboard 024 7696 4000
• Email: gpliaison@uhcw.nhs.uk

10:00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday (no Bank Holidays or Weekends) Telephone: 024 7696 6223

For Surgical admissions call Surgical Assessment Unit SAU on 02476965762 or bleep number 5910. Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) Located on First Floor Opposite General Critical Care

See also GP Gateway page Surgical Assessment Unit SAU

October 2024

We are receiving many patients in the incorrect area, which may delay their care and impact patient experience

A “Referral Slip”  and an ‘Information Leaflet’ has been designed to help direct patients to the correct department

The patient should present this slip, along with their referral letter, to the reception of the receiving clinical area

A completed “Referral Slip” should be given to each patient referred via GP Liaison Service. Please give the patients the information leaflet and Map. This should ensure that there are no false expecations of the department on arrival

Directions (click on Map below)

About the GP Liaison Service

The GP Liaison Service was established by University Hospital in 2006 and offers a single point of contact for emergency referrals. The service supports GPs in deciding the most appropriate pathway for their patients.

The benefits of the service include:

• A dedicated single point of contact for GP emergency referrals;
• Direct phone line for communicating patient details;
• Email referral facility;
• Time saving in establishing contact with the on-call doctor;
• Redirection to appropriate specialist services and fast-track clinics.

Admission via the Emergency Department/ MDU may not be the most appropriate route of care for some patients. There are a number of alternative care pathways, such as fast-track clinics, which may be more suitable

The GP Liaison Nurse can advise on, and facilitate admission to, the most appropriate specialist service according to individual patient needs.

The aim is to reduce emergency admissions by supporting admission avoidance and ensuring that GPs have access to specialist services and fast track clinics.

The GP liaison service offers advice, however the final decision regarding route of admission lies with the referring clinician.

Top tips to follow when using the GP Liaison Service

• Please use the GP Liaison Service as designed. Once you have spoken to the GP Liaison Nurse there is no requirement to speak with the admitting speciality (e.g. registrar), unless advised.
• The Service will accept referrals from all primary care providers – Gp’s, Practice Nurses, ANP’s, Community Nurses, and Specialist Nurses.
• Referrals can be made via telephone, bleep or email. We aim to answer emails within 10 minutes.
• Please give NHS Number, GP name, phone number and a brief history when calling.
• The service takes referrals for all specialities, except Neurosurgery, Children and Surgical                (02476965762).
• Always address your letter to the speciality you wish to see the patient.
• Always include a completed referral slip.