When a problem needs a consultant's opinion, a scan or hospital treatment, our GPs can refer you directly to consultants and private hospitals across the UK. You choose who you see and when, without joining a waiting list first.
When a referral helps
- A symptom needs a specialist's assessment: a heart rhythm, a skin lesion, a joint that will not settle, a digestive problem
- You would like a second opinion on a diagnosis or an operation you have been offered
- Your health insurer will pay for specialist care only if a GP has referred you
- You know which consultant you want to see and their secretary has asked for a referral letter
How it works
A referral starts with a GP appointment. The doctor takes your history, examines you and, where it will save you a wasted visit, arranges first-line tests such as blood tests or an ultrasound scan so that the consultant has the results in front of them. The GP then writes a referral letter that sets out the problem, your medical history, your medicines and the question the consultant is being asked. A good letter matters: it decides which clinic you are sent to and how much of the first consultation is spent repeating yourself.
Choosing who to see
If you already have a consultant or a hospital in mind, tell the doctor. If you do not, they can suggest someone whose work matches your problem, and you are free to choose where you go. If you have private medical insurance, call your insurer before you book: most ask for an authorisation number, and many keep their own list of recognised consultants and hospitals.
What it costs
The GP appointment and the referral letter are charged by us. The consultant, the hospital and any scans or procedures they arrange are charged by them, or covered by your insurance. Ask the consultant's secretary for their fees when you book, so that there are no surprises.
Good to know
A private referral does not close the door on the NHS. You can ask for the consultant's findings to be shared with your NHS GP, and you can move between private and NHS care. For anything urgent, such as a suspected cancer, tell the doctor: they will explain the quickest route, private or NHS.
Common questions
Can you refer me without an appointment? No. A referral is a clinical decision, and the letter has to rest on an assessment.
Can I be referred back to the NHS? Yes. Our GP can write to your NHS practice with their findings.
Is the referral letter mine? You can have a copy, and it is worth keeping one.
