Self referrals
There are a number of services locally that you are able to make self referrals to. You will not need a doctors appointment to access these services.
- Additional needs, special education needs or disability
- Drugs and alcohol
- Exercise
- Maternity
- Mental health
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Sexual health
- Stop smoking
- Young carers
- Youth counselling
- Weight management
GP referrals
To request a GP referral:
- Submit your request online as a ‘health problem’ to book an appointment with one of the doctors.
Provide as much information as you can as this will help us to process your request.
Private referrals
Requests for referrals to private consultant or private hospitals i.e. outside of the NHS.
You do not need a GP referral for private treatment however many private medical insurance companies require it and it is best practice for a GP who knows your medical history to write this, however the GP will only refer you if they feel the referral or treatment is necessary.
If you do want to go ahead with a private referral to see a specialist we will need to know who you are seeing and where to send the letter.
Any supporting tests you require as a result of this referral will need to be arranged privately by the consultant. As a NHS clinician it is not the GP’s responsibility to arrange these. The results of these tests are to be conveyed to you by the consultant; your GP will not have access to the private tests results. Any privately issued prescriptions can be dispensed by a community pharmacy and the medication will need to be paid for.
If you require a sick note because your private treatment means you are unfit for work, your private consultant should provide this.
If, at a later date, the consultant agrees to see you within the NHS, for ongoing care relating to the same problem, they can directly refer you into the NHS; you do not need to return to your GP for a NHS referral.
You should note that your Private to NHS referral will place you in the NHS waiting queue for that service, similar to where you would have been had you been referred on the NHS in the first place. You will not be able to “jump the queue” by doing this.
If the consultant wants you to have a medication on an NHS prescription, they will ask your GP. In some cases this may be under a Shared Care Agreement. The agreement will normally only remain in place if the private consultant remains responsible for your care and annual reviews take place. Should these reviews stop then your GP will no longer be able to continue prescribing safely for you.
Tracking a referral
To track an existing referral:
- contact the telephone number on the paperwork provided at the time of your referral
- phone us on 01761 413155 and select option 3 to speak with our Secretaries.