Re-referrals
What is a referral?
When you need specialist NHS support, like hospital tests or treatment, you often need a referral from your GP first.
Your GP is often the first person you speak to when you have a health issue or symptoms you’re worried about. GPs and other health professionals at the practice are highly skilled and can offer medical advice, provide diagnoses and prescribe medicines for lots of common conditions.
And sometimes, your GP might decide you need to see another healthcare professional for specialist tests, treatment or care. When they request specialist tests or treatment on your behalf, this is known as a referral.
Examples of referrals could include:
- Scans or tests for a diagnosis of a condition or health issue
- Wellbeing services, like smoking cessation or diabetes management
- Physiotherapy
- Minor surgery
In most cases you need to see your GP or speak to a doctor at a hospital to get a referral to another NHS service. Although sometimes, other healthcare professionals, such as a nurse, can make referrals as well.
It is worth noting that once you are referred by your GP, it can take quite a long time before your appointment request is dealt with, as there is normally a waiting list. The exact length of time will be dependent on what type of treatment or testing you require, although the current average for waiting times is around 14 weeks.
You can also sometimes self-refer to further NHS support, like mental health talking therapies.
Why might someone need to be re-referred?
Your referral will be assessed (triaged) by the hospital or specialist that your GP has applied to. You should receive a letter within a couple of weeks detailing what will happen next. For example, you will either be contacted by the hospital or service you were referred to, usually in writing.
They will either ask you to contact them to make an appointment or give you a date and time to see the specialist. If you can’t make the appointment they’ve arranged, you should let the hospital know as soon as possible. They can then give that slot to someone else and rearrange yours.
When doctors at this practice refer patients to a hospital, 1 in every 8 patients fails to attend their first appointment. This will delay diagnosis and treatment of your medical problem (s) and make the waiting time longer for other patients.
Local policies dictate that if you have missed an outpatient appointment, or failed to respond to a validation (opt-in) letter within the specified timeframe, you will be removed from the waiting list and your referral closed. Your GP surgery will also be informed of this action, and any relevant next steps.
If this is a mistake, and you have an adequate reason for missing your appointment or failing to respond, you can ask that your GP re-refer you to that service.
You will find our practice re-referral request form below for completion.
Re-referral Request - Hospital Appointment
Do I need a GP referral for private treatment?
If you have private health insurance, it’s still considered best practice to have a GP referral for specialist care, but it’s not always necessary.
Some health insurers will let you bypass your GP and allow you direct access to specialist care under certain circumstances. For example, with Bupa’s Direct Access scheme, you can refer yourself if you’re experiencing joint or bone pain or notice any early signs of cancer.
Each health insurer will have their own process for arranging consultations and diagnostics, so remember to check your policy documents first.