Referral to Secondary Care

If you have a problem which the Drs feel require specialist assistance in either the diagnosis or management then you will be referred on to the appropriate specialist

NHS referrals

In the NHS, secondary care is purchased for patients by the local PCT, in our case Southwark PCT. The PCT places contracts with various NHS hospital trusts. Our local hospitals are Guys, St Thomas, and Kings College. Living in London it is easy to forget how fortunate we are in having access to three of the best hospitals in the country.

Although at present patients are limited to the hospitals they can be referred to, as from 1st April it has been announced that patients will be allowed to be referred to any NHS hospital they wish.

Currently we are using a system known as choose and book which allows patients to book their hospital appointments. The links below may be of interest:

www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk
www.nhs.uk

Private Referrals

For patients who wish to be seen privately, making use of their own private health insurance or paying directly we are happy to arrange this. You will still need to be seen prior to making your appointment and we do not fill in forms or write referral letters retrospectively. If you have private health insurance you MUST check with your insurer before making the appointment that the proposed hospital or consultant is approved by them. You are advised that unless you work for a very big company it is likely that any pre-existing medical conditions will NOT be covered- check with your insurer first of all.

Although at present we do not charge for actual private referral letters if we have to fill in a claim form there will be a charge. When filling in such a form we are under a legal obligation to reveal any pre –existing medical problems.

Once your GP has referred you, our practice secretary Margaret Gambier sends the letter to the nominated specialist. If you have any queries relating to your referral letter you should contact Margaret via the main switchboard number.

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