Everyone has the right (by law since 2010) to access certain services commissioned by NHS bodies within maximum waiting times, or for the NHS to take all reasonable steps to offer a range of suitable alternative providers if this is not possible. The waiting times are described in the Handbook to the NHS Constitution (2015).

This policy reflects the overall expectations of the Trust for the management of patients' referral to treatment pathway and defines the principles on which the policy is based. All staff are expected to understand and apply this policy.