How does the referral process work?
A referral, in the most basic sense, is a written order from your primary care doctor to see a specialist for a specific medical service. Referrals are required by most health insurance companies to ensure that patients are seeing the correct providers for the correct problems.
How long does it take to get a referral on the NHS?
The maximum waiting time for non-urgent, consultant-led treatments is 18 weeks from the day your appointment is booked through the NHS e-Referral Service, or when the hospital or service receives your referral letter.
Can my GP refuse to refer me to a specialist?
They don’t have to refer you to a specialist if they believe it’s not the right option. However, you’re entitled to ask for the reason why they refused your referral request. If you’re unhappy about being refused a referral, you may ask to speak with another GP to get a second opinion.
Can a private consultant refer to NHS?
GP referrals If your GP thinks you need specialist treatment and you want to pay for it privately, they can write a letter of referral to a private consultant or specialist explaining your condition and your medical history.
Do GPs get charged for referrals?
The payment GPs receive is not affected directly by referrals or prescribing – the costs for this are in a separate budget. Because they are small businesses, they bear any increasing costs themselves.
What is 2weeks referral?
What is a ‘Two Week Wait’ referral? A ‘Two Week Wait’ referral is a request from your General Practitioner (GP) to ask the hospital for an urgent appointment for you, because you have symptoms that might indicate that you have cancer.
What is the NHS e-Referral Service used for?
internal Commissioners The NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) is used to make around 70,000 referrals daily. A full record of these is available in the application, with a wealth of information that can be used when making commissioning decisions and managing referrals.
What is the exercise referral scheme?
The Exercise Referral Scheme was developed in 2001 after a report provided evidence that lack of exercise was a growing cause of accidents and ill health.
How do I contact the NHS referral office?
By phone on 0808 196 3382. Asking patients to self-refer on 0808 196 3646 (not available for patient transport). Further details are here. Please note that we will process personal data in accordance with our Privacy Notice – Referral Parties, which you can find here .
When do I need to place a new referral?
If after this time a patient requires further support for another 4 weeks, you must place a new referral. By phone on 0808 196 3382. Asking patients to self-refer on 0808 196 3646 (not available for patient transport). Further details are here.