Being referred to a specialist
In most cases, referrals to a specialist service are made by your GP. They will have an understanding of your condition, and the circumstances in which specialist expertise is required.
Your GP will complete the referral request and send it to the relevant Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern specialist service.
Once your referral request is received, it is reviewed and prioritised based on the level of urgency. Sometimes the service will require further information from your GP.
After your request has been reviewed, you will be contacted by the service to let you know whether the referral has been accepted. If it is accepted, we will aim to give an indication of the timeframe you can expect to be waiting for an appointment. Closer to the time, we will write to you again with an appointment date and time.
If your referral is not accepted, you will be referred back to your GP, who will continue to provide treatment for you and advice about any alternative options for you.