Non-urgent advice: Faster Diagnosis Standard for Urgent Suspected Cancer Referrals
The Faster Diagnosis Standard is a national NHS programme designed to help people who have symptoms or test results that might suggest cancer. It ensures you are seen by a specialist quickly, usually within 28 days of your referral, so any serious conditions can be diagnosed or ruled out as soon as possible.
Many symptoms that lead to an urgent referral are caused by common, non-cancer conditions, and most people referred under this scheme do not have cancer. However, the fast-track process helps you get the right tests and treatment quickly if needed.
Please visit the website below for details about this service at our local hospital trusts.
Many symptoms that lead to an urgent referral are caused by common, non-cancer conditions, and most people referred under this scheme do not have cancer. However, the fast-track process helps you get the right tests and treatment quickly if needed.
Please visit the website below for details about this service at our local hospital trusts.
Non-urgent advice: Private Referrals
If you ask your GP to refer you to see a specialist privately, your GP will write a referral letter if they think it is appropriate. You will receive this letter by text or email (or you can collect it in person), so you can send it to your insurance company or the specialist you have chosen.
If your insurance requires a specific form to be completed, there may be an additional charge for this.
After that, you will need to contact the specialist’s team directly to arrange your appointment. Please note, the GP practice cannot book or manage private appointments for you, and short-notice referrals are not usually possible. You can use the ‘Referral query’ tab on our website to provide details of your chosen specialist.
Once you see the specialist, they will arrange any tests, procedures, or treatments you need. The specialist is responsible for explaining your results and managing your care. If you need new medication, the specialist will provide the first prescription. In some cases, we may be able to continue prescribing this medication on the NHS, but only if we receive detailed information from the specialist and the treatment meets NHS guidelines. This process can take 7-10 working days, so you may prefer to pay privately for your initial prescription to start treatment promptly.
If you want to return to NHS care after private treatment, the private specialist must arrange this transfer according to local NHS guidelines. This ensures your care continues smoothly and avoids delays. For any follow-up appointments, fit notes, or questions about your private care, please contact your specialist’s team directly rather than the GP practice.
If your insurance requires a specific form to be completed, there may be an additional charge for this.
After that, you will need to contact the specialist’s team directly to arrange your appointment. Please note, the GP practice cannot book or manage private appointments for you, and short-notice referrals are not usually possible. You can use the ‘Referral query’ tab on our website to provide details of your chosen specialist.
Once you see the specialist, they will arrange any tests, procedures, or treatments you need. The specialist is responsible for explaining your results and managing your care. If you need new medication, the specialist will provide the first prescription. In some cases, we may be able to continue prescribing this medication on the NHS, but only if we receive detailed information from the specialist and the treatment meets NHS guidelines. This process can take 7-10 working days, so you may prefer to pay privately for your initial prescription to start treatment promptly.
If you want to return to NHS care after private treatment, the private specialist must arrange this transfer according to local NHS guidelines. This ensures your care continues smoothly and avoids delays. For any follow-up appointments, fit notes, or questions about your private care, please contact your specialist’s team directly rather than the GP practice.
Non-urgent advice: Specialist Referral Information
For information on what you can expect to happen when your GP refers you to see a specialist or consultant, at a hospital or a community health centre, click the link below.
To view in British Sign Language, click the video below.
To view in British Sign Language, click the video below.
GP to see a specialist?
Non-urgent advice: Physiotherapy Self-Referral
Buckinghamshire patients can now self-refer for physiotherapy assessment and treatment through the Bucks MSK Service if their primary care physician has recommended it.
Please note this applies to physiotherapy only. If a patient needs to see a specialist clinician—for example, an MSK GP or Advanced Practice Physiotherapist—for a specialist assessment or injection, a GP or clinician referral is still required. If a clinician is unsure about what a patient needs, they will refer to the MSK service as usual. Patients will then be triaged and booked into the appropriate clinic according to the current pathway.
For more information or to complete the self-referral form, please visit the website.
Please note this applies to physiotherapy only. If a patient needs to see a specialist clinician—for example, an MSK GP or Advanced Practice Physiotherapist—for a specialist assessment or injection, a GP or clinician referral is still required. If a clinician is unsure about what a patient needs, they will refer to the MSK service as usual. Patients will then be triaged and booked into the appropriate clinic according to the current pathway.
For more information or to complete the self-referral form, please visit the website.
Non-urgent advice: Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS is a free and confidential service that offers help and support when you need it. The PALS team works independently to listen to your concerns and works with staff, managers, and other organisations to find quick and effective solutions.
PALS can assist you with:
– Advice and information
– Comments and suggestions
– Compliments and thanks
– Informal complaints
– Guidance about making a formal complaint
– Following up on referrals and appointments
If the PALS team cannot answer your questions, they will connect you with someone who can help.
Contact PALS for Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire:
Phone: 0800 328 5640
Email: bobicb-bucks.palscomplaints@nhs.net
PALS can assist you with:
– Advice and information
– Comments and suggestions
– Compliments and thanks
– Informal complaints
– Guidance about making a formal complaint
– Following up on referrals and appointments
If the PALS team cannot answer your questions, they will connect you with someone who can help.
Contact PALS for Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire:
Phone: 0800 328 5640
Email: bobicb-bucks.palscomplaints@nhs.net