How to get a referral to a Behçet’s Centre of Excellence

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Where can I be referred to? 

It’s up to you. Choose which Centre would be most convenient for you – Birmingham, Liverpool or London. 

Who can refer me? 

Any medical practitioner who knows about your Behçet’s disease can refer you: for example, your GP, hospital consultant or dentist. 

Do I need to have a confirmed diagnosis of Behçet’s disease? 

No. We accept referrals for those with possible or probable Behçet’s disease as well as confirmed Behçet’s disease. 

Why should I be referred? 

Of course, it’s your choice to be referred or not. You may not wish to be referred if your Behçet’s disease is already well controlled, or if you do not want to travel to a Behçet’s Centre. However, you may wish to be referred if you feel your Behçet’s disease is not well controlled or that you would benefit from a second opinion or the multidisciplinary approach of our clinics, as these should reduce the number of appointments you attend for your Behçet’s disease. 

How do I go about getting a referral? 

At your appointment with your medical practitioner, explain that you would like to be referred to the Behçet’s Centre. 

You might like to: 

• explain that we offer multidisciplinary clinics with doctors from different specialties who are all experienced in treating people with Behçet’s disease
• explain that the service is nationally commissioned, so there is no cost to the GP
•  orientate the doctor to our website (www.behcets.nhs.uk). 

They will be familiar with writing referrals but may wish to: 

• say that they would appreciate our support in the management of your Behçet’s disease
• explain the way Behçet’s disease affects you (for example, your eyes, mouth, skin, joints) 
• say what treatment you have already been on and its effect.  

 Referral details for each clinic 

Birmingham 

Dr D. Situnayake 

Sheldon Block Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre 

City Hospital 

Dudley Road 

Birmingham

B18 7Q8 

Email: behcetsbham@nhs.net 

Fax: 0121 507 6721

 Liverpool 

Professor R. J. Moots 

National Behcet’s Centre 

University Hospital Aintree 

Lower Lane 

Liverpool 

L8 7AL 

Email:  behcets@liverpoolft.nhs.uk 

Fax: 0151 529 2944 

London 

Professor F. Fortune 

Behçet’s Centre Administration Dental Hospital, 

The Royal London Hospital, 

Turner Street, 

Whitechapel 

London 

E1 1BB 

Email: Bhnt.londonbehcetscentre@nhs.net 

Fax: 020 3465 7954   

Patients outside of the NHS England area

 For reasons related to funding, the Behçet’s Centres are commissioned for people from England. If you live outside England, your doctor will need to gain approval from your NHS (for example NHS Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland). Referrals are also accepted from overseas, and there is a charge for international patients. Please contact the Centre of your choice directly about this if it applies to you. 

What happens next? 

Once your referral has been received in the Behçet’s Centre, it will be approved by a doctor and you will be offered your first appointment. There is usually a few weeks’ wait for your first appointment unless the referral states that you need to be seen urgently. 

Further information 

Further information is available on the Behçet’s Centre’s website www.behcets.nhs.uk or please feel free to ring: 

Birmingham: 0121 507 4243

Liverpool: 0151 529 8123

London: 020 3594 6088  

Unfortunately, due to devolution the centres are only run by NHS England. Please follow the links below to find the current process for UK patients outside England.

Referral in Wales   

Referral in Wales (behcetsuk.org) 

Referral in Scotland  Referral in Scotland (behcetsuk.org) 

Referral in Northern Ireland   Referral in Northern Ireland (behcetsuk.org)