How to make a referral
The quickest and most efficient way to make a referral is through our online form above. This form is accessible at all times and ensures all necessary information is captured.
Key information
Referral Criteria
We encourage you to review our referral guidelines prior to submitting a referral.
This can be found in the FAQ section on this page.
Individual's consent
It's important to obtain the individual's direct consent for referral to Saint Francis Hospice, provided they have capacity (family members can only request a referral if they hold Power of Attorney).
Supporting Information
When using the online referral form, please provide supporting documents separately, email bloods, clinic letters and SCR records by emailing us using the link below.
Contact our Referrals team
Call us (Monday to Friday)
If your referral is urgent, please telephone our Referrals Coordinator to discuss the referral on 01708 758 606 (Monday to Friday).
Call us (Saturday to Sunday)
Please call the Specialist Advice Line to discuss referrals on 01708 758 643
(Saturday to Sunday).
For referral enquiries or to send supporting documents (bloods, clinic letters, SCR records, etc).
Referral FAQ's
What is the phone number for the Referrals Hub?
The Referrals Hub direct line is 01708 758606.
Which services can I refer a patient for?
Referrals can be made to any of our services and they are reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team on a daily basis. See all Services.
Who is eligible for referral to our Hospice services?
Referrals for any or all services are considered for adult patients with advanced and / or progressive disease, regardless of diagnosis, within the framework of North East London Eligibility and Referral Guidelines.
A referral to SFH for someone who has a life-limiting condition should be considered if needs are complex. For example:
- The person has persistent, hard to relieve, overwhelming symptoms.
- The person's condition is progressing rapidly.
- The individual is suffering emotional or spiritual distress in relation to their diagnosis or the progressive nature of their illness.
- The person is poorly and experiencing difficulty facing the end of their life.
- The individual has family or people important to them who are struggling with the situation - emotionally or practically, e.g. children in the immediate family.
- The person and/or people important to them have had multiple bereavements.
- The care team feels out of depth and in need of help/support with specialist palliative and end of life needs.
For GPs using the e-referral system
If you are using the e-referral system (Choose and Book), to refer please email UBRN to nelondonicb.saintfrancishospicereferrals@nhs.net. Please note this email address is only monitored from Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm.
If the referral you have sent is urgent, please call the Referrals Hub on 01708 758606 or the 24/7 specialist advice line on 01708 758643. If the line is busy please leave an answer phone message with your name, contact number, a short message and details of who you are calling about.
Monday to Friday 9-5pm we aim to return the call within the same day, outside of these hours we will respond at the earliest opportunity. For all referrals, please ensure a referral to the district nurse team has been made as we would not work independent of their services.
What happens after I have referred my patient?
We will contact the patient to assess what services are needed.
For advice before referral or if your referral is urgent, please call our referrals hub on
For all referrals, please ensure a referral to the appropriate local district nurse team has been made.
Who should I speak to if I need Specialist Advice?
You can call our 24-hour Specialist Advice Line for support and advice with specialist palliative care issues. This includes support for those individuals not currently known to our services. The Advice Line is manned by Clinical Specialists on 01708 758 643. Please do not encourage referrals via 111 for individuals and their carers.
What is Hospice at Home?
Criteria is last two to three weeks of life. Please refer to district nurse services. Hospice at Home will not visit unless the district nurse has already visited. If an individual needs a care package, please refer to the district nurse for a palliative assessment.
Can I refer for occupational therapy, physiotherapy and complementary therapy?
Please use the Saint Francis Hospice referral form (sfh.org.uk/make-a-referral).
The referrals hub will have up to date information of availability of the services provided.
Advice on Anticipatory or 'just in case' injectable medicines and MAAR chart
Click here to visit our resource, which includes the latest NELFT/hospice guidelines for palliative and end of life care (V5) and examples of the required MAAR charts for injectables for those approaching end of life, including a sensible start for people who are opioid naive, for frailty and for sever renal impairment.
District Nursing community services
Please ensure a timely referral to District Nurses. Their on-the-ground support is invaluable in advanced illness and best end of life care at home. For our Hospice at Home team to be able to support, a District Nurse referral is essential (the Hospice at Home team comprises more Health Care Assistants than Registered General Nurses).
Ready to start your referral?
