What is a GP referral?
A GP referral or letter of support is a formal recommendation from your General Practitioner (GP) to see another health professional or service. Referrals help ensure your care is coordinated and that you receive advice or treatment that is appropriate for your specific health needs.
Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral to complete your intake form with Candor.
However, we may require a GP referral or a Letter of Support for patients with more complex medical histories. This helps our clinical team review your health background, current medications and any existing treatments, to help them recommend an appropriate course of action.
If you already have a referral, it’s best to upload it with your intake form. This allows our team to review your information sooner and can help speed up your intake process.
If you’re unsure whether you need a referral, don’t worry, our clinical team will reach out to let you know what you need to provide and how to access it.
What information does a referral include?
Your referral should contain:
- Current details about your health concern
- Date of the referral
- Reason for the referral
- Name, contact information and signature of the referring GP
How does the referral process work?
- Consultation with the GP: You discuss your health concern with your GP, who will assess your needs and determine if a referral is appropriate.
- Referral preparation: If needed, your GP will prepare a referral letter detailing your medical history and the reason for the referral. This document is given to the patient who can then make an appointment with the recommended specialist.
- Uploading to Candor: If required, you will be prompted to upload your referral or letter of support during the intake process. Our clinical team will be in touch if they need anything else.
Why do I need to provide a referral?
Please note not everyone will need to provide a referral. You can still complete and submit your intake form and if any documents are needed, our clinical team will let you know.
You may need to provide a referral if you have a more complex medical history, are taking multiple medications, or depending on the service you are accessing. It allows our clinicians to provide safe, coordinated care.
At Candor, a GP referral helps by:
- Coordination of care: A GP referral provides our clinicians with important information about your health history, current condition and ongoing treatments, allowing them to offer guidance that aligns with your overall care.
- Quality of care: Referrals help direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare service for their needs, complementing the care provided by your GP.
- Prioritised safety: When accompanied by a current health summary, referrals help our doctors review your medications and treatments to ensure safe care.
Submitting your referral to Candor
You can upload your referral and health summary when completing your intake form. If you don’t have your documents ready, our clinical team will let you know what to provide and how to access them, so the process keeps moving smoothly.
