Referrals
Who to refer
At Hammersmith Hospital we accept referrals of adults with pulmonary hypertension where the following diagnoses are suspected or proven:
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Pulmonary hypertension due to chronic thrombotic and/or embolic disease
• Miscellaneous causes
We also accept referrals where the cause of pulmonary hypertension is not certain. For more information on diagnoses, see our Classification section.
We do not accept referral of private patients.
Before you refer
Before you refer a patient, please ensure they have undergone the following procedures:
• Routine blood tests
• Electrocardiogram
• Chest X-ray
• Spirometry
• Echocardiography
Some patients with pulmonary hypertension may deteriorate rapidly, so please do not delay referral in order to complete more extensive investigations.
If you would like to discuss a patient who might be suitable for referral, please contact us.
How to refer
To refer a new patient you must post us a letter from a GP or hospital consultant. The letter should include the following:
• The severity of symptoms according to functional class
• The results of the procedures listed above under 'Before you refer'
• Copies of all relevant previous imaging investigations, preferably on CD
• Copies of any other investigations already performed. If you intend to undertake cardiac catheterisation, we are happy to supply you with our protocol
Please send the letter by post or courier to our address. We cannot offer to see the patient until we have received all of this information. The urgency of the referral will be assessed on the clinical data provided.
Inter-hospital transfers
Inter-hospital transfer of patients can be arranged and must be endorsed by a consultant at the referring hospital. If you are a consultant and would like to arrange an inter-hospital transfer you must speak to one of our consultants or specialist registrars to discuss the clinical problem and degree of urgency.
You will also need to complete the following form, in addition to the information requested above:
• Inter-hospital transfer form (PDF, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, free download)
Once your referral has been accepted by our staff, please transfer your patient to the service from Monday to Friday between 08.00 and 17.00. This is to ensure that the pulmonary hypertension team will be available to receive the patient.
Discharge following inter-hospital transfer
Where patients are aged over 65 or where they have health and social care needs likely to affect their safe discharge home, our policy is to transfer the patient back to the care of their referring consultant and the referring hospital, as soon as diagnosis and a treatment plan are completed. Typically, this takes between five to 10 days after arrival at our hospital.
Appointments
Patients with an urgent case are usually offered an appointment within two weeks. All other patients will be seen in the first available clinic.
New patients are normally seen in the clinic on Monday mornings. If patients have to travel a long distance or have special needs, we are happy to see them as a day case or occasionally as an overnight stay.
