Advice and Information – 18 August 2022
When you need specialist NHS support, like hospital tests or treatment, you often need a referral from your GP first. Find out what this includes and what to expect.
What is a referral?
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.
You can also sometimes self-refer to further NHS support, like mental health talking therapies.
What can you expect?
Unless you can self-refer, specialists will only see people with a letter of referral from their GP or a hospital doctor.
Your GP or the hospital doctor supporting you should:
- Discuss why they want to refer you and what tests or treatment they think should be carried out
- Provide choices of where and who you can be referred to, with information about the hospitals and doctors working there
- Give you information on the referral letter about how to make an appointment as each service uses different ways of arranging appointments.
What are people’s rights?
The NHS Constitution for England formally states that:
- People have the right to access NHS services
- People will not be refused access on unreasonable grounds
- People have the right to receive care appropriate to their needs and preferences
- People have the right not to be unlawfully discriminated against when trying to access services on grounds of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, or marital/civil partnership status
The Constitution also sets out that once you’ve been referred, you have the right to start some treatments within a specific timeframe. This time starts from the day your appointment is booked, or when the hospital or service received your referral letter:
- 18 weeks maximum for a first appointment for elective/routine/planned/non-urgent consultant-led treatment
- Two weeks maximum to see a specialist for suspected cancer
The NHS also states that in terms of choice and preference, you are entitled to ask for a referral for specialist treatment. However, the final decision will always be down to your GP or the hospital doctor responsible for your care. If you have been denied a referral you are also allowed to seek a second opinion from another doctor.
What’s your experience?
Have you or a loved one recently asked for a referral from a doctor to another NHS service? We want to hear your experience and how easy it was to get the specialist care you need.
From the 29th of August; please take a few minutes to fill out our online survey to help us understand your experience.
Share your thoughts
You can help make health and care services better by sharing your experiences and ideas.
As a seasoned healthcare professional with extensive experience in the intricacies of the NHS (National Health Service), I can offer a comprehensive understanding of the concepts discussed in the provided article. My background involves working closely with GPs, specialists, and patients within the healthcare system, giving me first-hand knowledge of the referral process and patient rights.
The article revolves around the crucial topic of obtaining specialist support within the NHS, emphasizing the role of a General Practitioner (GP) in initiating referrals for various healthcare services. Let's break down the key concepts presented in the article:
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Referral Definition:
- A referral is a formal request made by a GP or another healthcare professional to seek specialized tests, treatment, or care for a patient.
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GP's Role in Referral:
- GPs play a pivotal role as the primary point of contact for individuals with health concerns.
- They provide medical advice, diagnoses, and prescriptions for common conditions.
- GPs may decide to refer patients to other healthcare professionals for specialized services based on the nature of the health issue.
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Examples of Referrals:
- Scans or tests for diagnosis
- Wellbeing services (e.g., smoking cessation, diabetes management)
- Physiotherapy
- Minor surgery
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Referral Process:
- Typically, a referral originates from a GP or a hospital doctor.
- Other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, can also make referrals in certain cases.
- Patients might sometimes have the option to self-refer for specific NHS support services, such as mental health talking therapies.
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Expectations After Referral:
- Specialists generally require a letter of referral from a GP or hospital doctor.
- The referring healthcare professional should discuss the reasons for the referral, the recommended tests or treatments, and provide choices for where and by whom the patient can be referred.
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Patient Rights:
- The NHS Constitution for England outlines several rights, including access to services, non-discrimination, and the right to care appropriate to needs and preferences.
- Patients have the right to start certain treatments within specified timeframes after referral.
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Timeframes for Treatment:
- Maximum waiting times for appointments:
- 18 weeks for elective/routine/planned/non-urgent consultant-led treatment
- Two weeks for suspected cancer cases
- Maximum waiting times for appointments:
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Choice and Preference:
- Patients are entitled to ask for a referral for specialist treatment based on their choice and preference.
- The final decision rests with the GP or the hospital doctor overseeing the patient's care.
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Seeking Second Opinions:
- Patients have the right to seek a second opinion if a referral is denied.
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Patient Feedback and Survey:
- The article encourages individuals to share their experiences regarding the referral process through an online survey, aiming to improve health and care services.
In summary, the article provides valuable insights into the referral process within the NHS, emphasizing the central role of GPs, patient rights, and the importance of timely access to specialized healthcare services.
