Private GP referral letters to specialists in North London

How a referral works

Most private consultants, hospitals and scanning centres ask for a GP referral letter before they will see you or run a test. The letter explains what has been found, what has been done so far and what question the specialist is being asked to answer. A clear letter gets you the right appointment first time.

Our GPs write referral letters the same day. You choose the provider, or ask us to suggest one based on the problem, location and whether you are paying yourself or using insurance. If you would like us to, we coordinate the appointment for you.

Do I need a referral for an MRI or ultrasound?

Usually, yes. Most private scanning centres ask for a referral from a doctor before they will book an MRI, ultrasound or other scan, and private medical insurers generally require one before they authorise it. For X-rays and CT scans, which use radiation, a qualified clinician must request the scan and confirm it is justified — a legal safeguard, not a formality.

A GP appointment is the straightforward way to get one. The doctor takes your history, examines you and decides which scan, if any, answers the question. The referral is written the same day and included in the appointment fee. Sometimes the right first step is not a scan at all — a blood test, a period of treatment or a different investigation may get you an answer sooner — and the doctor will say so rather than send you for imaging you do not need.

A good referral letter also makes the scan more useful. It tells the radiologist what to look for and why, and the report comes back to a doctor who can explain it to you and decide what happens next.

What we refer for

Anything that needs a specialist's skills or equipment.

• Consultant opinions: dermatology, gynaecology, urology, orthopaedics, cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, paediatrics, psychiatry and psychology, and more
• Imaging: ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, CT, DEXA and echocardiogram
• Diagnostics: endoscopy, cardiac tests, allergy testing and specialist blood tests
• Therapies: physiotherapy, dietetics and talking therapies

Insurance referrals

Most private medical insurers require a GP referral before they will authorise a specialist. We provide the letter and any information your insurer needs. Check with your insurer first whether they need a specific form or a named consultant; some have their own lists.

Choosing between NHS and private referral

A private referral is not always the best route. For some conditions the NHS pathway is faster or provides ongoing care that a one-off private appointment cannot. The doctor will say so plainly and, with your consent, write to your NHS GP instead or as well.

What happens after the referral?

The letter is written during or straight after your appointment. You keep a copy, and it goes to the consultant, imaging centre or diagnostic provider you have chosen — or we give it to you to take along if you would rather book directly. With your consent, a copy also goes to your NHS GP so your main record stays complete.

The provider then arranges the appointment or scan with you; if you have asked us to coordinate it, reception does that for you. Any specialist appointment, scan or test is charged by the provider you choose, not by us, so ask them about their fees — or check with your insurer — before you book.

Specialists usually write back to the referring doctor with their findings. When a letter or report reaches us, a GP reads it, and if anything needs discussing or a further step, you can book a follow-up, often by video, to go through it. Ask for the same doctor if you would like continuity.

How much does a referral cost?

Referral letters written as part of a GP appointment are included in the appointment fee; there is no separate charge for the letter. The appointment fee depends on the length you choose and is shown on our pricing page and our same-day GP page. A standard appointment is usually enough for a single problem.

If you already know you need a referral for something specific — an insurer's authorisation, or a scan a consultant has asked for — tell us when you book so the doctor can allow the right time. A letter requested later, without an appointment, may need a short consultation first, because the doctor has to be satisfied the referral is appropriate.

You pay per visit, at the practice, by card or cash; there is no online payment and no membership. If you are claiming on insurance, we give you an itemised invoice and any letters your claim needs. There is no charge to cancel or move an appointment with the notice shown on our pricing page; our FAQs cover insurance and payment in more detail, and our how it works page shows the booking steps.

What to bring to a referral appointment

The better the doctor understands your history, the better the letter. It helps to bring:

• A list of the medicines you take, including doses
• Any letters, results or scan reports from other clinicians, including your NHS GP
• A note of when the problem started, what makes it better or worse, and anything you have already tried
• If you are using insurance: your policy or membership number, any pre-authorisation reference, and any form your insurer wants the GP to complete
• The name of a consultant or hospital if you have a preference, or a rough idea of where in London suits you

If you are not sure which specialist you need, that is what the appointment is for — the doctor will work it out with you.

Where is the clinic?

Our clinic is at the rear of Grovelands Medical Centre, 1 Grovelands Rd, Palmers Green, London N13 4RJ — a short walk from Palmers Green station on the Great Northern line, with buses 121, 329 and W6 stopping nearby on Green Lanes. We are open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. A referral can also follow a video consultation from anywhere in the UK or a home visit across North London. Our Palmers Green page has more about getting to us, and our contact page has a map and opening hours.

Referring a patient to us

If you are a clinician, an occupational health service or a family member arranging care for someone else, you do not need an NHS referral to send a patient to us. Use the referral form on our refer page, or call the practice, and reception will come back to you with a time. Please do not send reports through the form; bring or send those once the appointment is agreed. With the patient's consent, we can write to the referring clinician as well as to their NHS GP with our findings and plan.

What it costs

Questions patients ask