Referrals

Referrals

When and why we refer

Sometimes it’s necessary for your GP to refer you to a consultant or another service. In this instance, your GP will discuss with you – and, if appropriate, your carer – why a referral is being recommended.

You are usually referred because:

  • Your GP wants a specialist’s help in deciding how best to treat your condition, or
  • The required tests or investigations need equipment not available in general practice.

If your GP refers you to a consultant-led service for a physical or mental health condition, you usually have the right to choose which hospital you go to. If you do not express a preference, your GP will refer you to a local hospital that is part of the local NHS system.

Your right to timely care

If you’re referred for a physical or mental health condition, you have the legal right to:

  • Start non-urgent consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks of referral.
  • Be seen by a specialist within 2 weeks if your GP suspects cancer.

This right only applies to NHS-commissioned services in England. It does not include public health services (commissioned by local authorities), maternity services, or non-consultant-led mental health services.

Managing referral appointments online

If you’ve been referred through the NHS e-Referral Service, you can:

Some NHS trusts only allow users aged 18+ to manage appointments via the app.

If you have access to your personal health record, you may also be able to view hospital and other healthcare appointments.

Waiting times

Your waiting time begins when the hospital or service receives your referral or when you book your appointment via e-RS.

During the waiting period, you may:

  • Have tests, scans or procedures
  • Be given medicine or therapy
  • Be referred to another specialist team

Your waiting time ends when:

  • You begin treatment (e.g. surgery or starting medication)
  • You agree to have your condition monitored instead of treated immediately
  • A clinician decides treatment is not needed, or
  • You decline further treatment

You can check typical waiting times at local hospitals via the My Planned Care website.

Please note: We cannot chase hospital referrals

Once a referral has been sent, the hospital becomes responsible for your care, including:

  • Appointment scheduling
  • Managing waiting lists
  • Providing updates

We do not have access to hospital systems or waiting lists, and we do not have the capacity to chase hospitals on behalf of patients.
If you are waiting to hear from the hospital, please contact their referral or appointments team directly. Contact links can be found on each hospital’s website.

If your condition worsens or changes, please complete an online form via Klinik and one of our GPs will review your case. They can liaise with your usual GP if needed.

Consultant referrals to other services

If a hospital consultant recommends that you see another specialist or have further investigations, they are responsible for making those referrals themselves.

The British Medical Association (BMA) and NHS England have issued clear guidance:
Consultants must not redirect referral work to GPs when it should be managed by the hospital team. Doing so creates unnecessary delays for patients and is not in line with the consultant’s contractual obligations.

If this happens, we may write to the hospital to request that they complete the necessary action directly.

If you need help understanding your referral or need to discuss a change in your condition, please contact us via Klinik or speak to our reception team.