Consultants

cormicar

Can somebody please clarify if I always need a GP referral letter to visit a consultant. I'm pretty sure I went straight to the last consultant I visited without a referral letter. Hate paying €50 to a GP for a referral when I know where I need to go myself.

Ihaveanopinion

cormicar wrote: »

Can somebody please clarify if I always need a GP referral letter to visit a consultant. I'm pretty sure I went straight to the last consultant I visited without a referral letter. Hate paying €50 to a GP for a referral when I know where I need to go myself.

From the Medical Council guidelines on Ethics

http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Registration/Guide-to-Professional-Conduct-and-Behaviour-for-Registered-Medical-Practitioners.pdf


Normally, consultants will see patients following referral from their general practitioner or other treating doctor. In some cases there might be no such referral. In either instance, the patient’s general practitioner should be kept informed of the patient’s progress, unless the patient specifically objects

Vorsprung

Ring the GP and have a go at discussing it. If it's the case that a letter can be done a consultation, they may well do it for you. Most referrals will require a GP to see you and examine you.

Not sure there's much else we can advise on here to be honest.