I would like a referral

If you suspect you may need to see a specialist either on the NHS or privately, the first step is to book an appointment with your GP.

I have been referred but I am still waiting for an appointment

If you have already been referred to a service you can check the status of your referral using the NHS app. Alternatively you can contact the hospital you have been referred to to check where you are on their waiting list.

Can you speed up my referral?

Patients are sometimes advised to ask their GP to write a letter to speed up a referral. This is causing significant strain on GP time as waiting lists expand. If your condition has worsened since you were originally referred, please book a GP appointment to discuss your symptoms. If nothing has changed since you were originally referred, a GP letter will not change your place on the waiting list.

Self referrals

Patients can self refer to the local talking therapies service for mental health problems.