What is a GP referral and how can you get one (UK)?

If you want a referral to a specialist, you’ll have to make an appointment to see your GP. They’ll discuss your concerns and ask you about your symptoms.

While you’re entitled to ask for a referral, your GP will only refer you if they believe there is clinical need. With this in mind, they may arrange for you to have some tests or try an alternative treatment first.

Why do I need to see my GP first?

Your GP will have access to your medical history. Alongside any symptoms you’re experiencing, this extra information can give them a clearer idea of your overall health. They can then note down anything a specialist might need to know (for example, whether you have a family history of a certain condition or if you’ve experienced it before).

A GP referral is essentially your doctor asking a specialist to investigate your case. When they make your referral, they will set out relevant information, including:

• The reason why they are making the referral (for instance, what they suspect the problem might be).
• Your symptoms and how long you’ve been experiencing them for.
• Your medical history, specifically highlighting any details that may be particularly relevant to your current concerns.

If you want, you can also ask to see a copy of your referral form, or have a copy sent to you as well.

What happens after a referral is made?

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, or you will hear from your GP instead.

If your referral is successful, the hospital (or other service) will contact you directly. 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. Of the 122 million hospital appointments that were made between 2021 – 2022, just over 6% were missed. That works out at around 7.8 million a year or 650,000 each month.

Alternatively, you may be given a reference number which you can use to make an appointment using the NHS e-referral service.

Do I get a choice of which specialist I see?

You may have a choice of who you see. If you do, your GP should discuss this with you at the time they make the referral.

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.

If your condition isn’t urgent, you should be seen within 18 weeks from your referral. It may be longer if it’s considered ‘clinically right’ for you to wait or if you choose to defer treatment.  

How do I track my GP referral?

If you’ve booked your referral using the NHS e-referral site, you’ll be able to track its progress online. If not, and you’re waiting for the hospital to contact you with an appointment, bear in mind that it could be a few weeks before you hear anything. However, if you’ve been waiting a while, you should contact the hospital directly.

If you’ve asked to be referred for private medical treatment, you should contact your provider for help.

Your GP is not obliged to refer your case to a specialist if they don’t feel you need to see one. If you don’t agree with your GP’s decision and would like another opinion, you can ask to see another doctor or health professional.

It’s worth noting the NHS makes it clear that you’re not entitled to a second opinion by law. However, doctors and health professionals will generally always refer your case to someone else if you’re not happy with their decision.

Open referrals generally apply to private health insurance. It’s when your GP does not specify a particular consultant by name. Instead, it will simply state what specialism is needed (for example, gynaecology).

This is because some private health insurance plans have restrictions on which hospitals or consultants you can see (known as guided lists or restricted lists). Leaving your referral open in this way, means you’ll be able to access private treatment according to what’s covered in your policy.

Most private health insurance policies provide access to a GP 24/7. This can mean you’re able to secure a referral faster compared to waiting for an appointment with a GP at your local practice.

This doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get a referral, it just means you may be able to see a GP quicker.

Don’t forget, some private health insurance policies also give you direct access to some specialists (such as physios). If this is the case, you’ll be able to self-refer rather than wait for a GP’s referral.

If you want more information about what private health insurance can offer and whether it’s right for you, we’ve put together these informative, in-depth guides:

• Average cost of health insurance
• Tips when buying health insurance
• Health insurance premiums explained
• How to get private healthcare