Recurring concern
Insufficient detail in referrals for safe risk assessment and prioritisation
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Request correctionFirst reported 25 Jul 2014•Latest report 30 Mar 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures in safety-critical referrals or referral documentation where missing or inadequate information impairs risk assessment, understanding of case complexity or prioritisation by the receiving service.
Not included
- Excludes deficiencies in final investigation reports, clinical records, care plans or other documents that are not referrals.
- Excludes failures to prioritise or respond to referrals when the referral information itself was sufficient.
- Excludes generic information-sharing or communication failures not tied to a referral or referral documentation.
- Reports
- 18
- Individual concerns
- 22
- Date range
- 2014–2026
- Stated actions
- 22
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to carry critical GP information into hospital assessment
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Implement and disseminate an EMIS and laminated referral protocol covering paediatric pathways, hospital selection, advance contact, documentation and clinically appropriate ambulance transfer.
Stated by Old Mill Surgery -
Action
Provide Emergency Department and Clinical Assessment Unit staff access to the Integrated Care Record System for reviewing GP records.
Stated by George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
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Concerns raised1
Safeguarding referral forms failing to capture key GP-relevant information
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Use a single safeguarding adults referral form across Derby City and Derbyshire County, available online to public and professional referrers.
Stated by Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council -
Action
Co-produce and implement a revised safeguarding adults referral form with partners, streamlining information requirements and reducing duplication and complexity.
Stated by Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide pertinent referral information to speech and language therapy
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Implement revised electronic SALT referral form questions, mandatory detail fields, and mandatory Next of Kin or LPA information.
Stated by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
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Position
The measures described are considered sufficient to satisfy the concerns, so no further safety work is proposed.
Stated by Hill Care Group
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Position
The referral information did not indicate or corroborate dysphagia, swallowing difficulty, coughing or choking requiring face-to-face assessment.
Stated by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust -
Position
Existing dysphagia guidance and referral thresholds were considered sufficient to determine that face-to-face assessment was not required.
Stated by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide adequate information about care needs in referrals to specialist services
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Review the Learning Disability and Autism Policy to add guidance on specialist referrals and Hospital Passport use.
Stated by Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure police officers understand mental health issues and referral information requirements
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Joint training with SPFT is not considered workable because its cost and logistical requirements are disproportionate at this stage.
Stated by Sussex Police
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide sufficient detail in referrals for risk assessment and prioritisation
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Deliver a Masterclass on timely vascular and District Nursing referrals, including required referral information and examples of good referrals.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Specialist referrals are expected to contain relevant information and are returned with requirements when insufficient for prompt triage.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
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Concerns raised2
Lack of a standard protocol for routine provision of referral photographs to assist triage
Inconsistent provision of information in referrals for triage
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Reinforce good oral cancer referral practice in future communications to dental professionals and commissioners.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care
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Concerns raised1
Poor documentation in GP referrals to secondary care
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised2
Referral routing failing to provide radiologists’ reports
Failure to clarify missing referral information before responding
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to act on tissue viability referrals when referral information is incomplete
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Implement a mandatory electronic TVN referral form, replacing telephone and answering-machine referrals and requiring accurate patient information.
Stated by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King'S Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust
Data last updated 7 September 2026