Referrals

GP Referrals

 

You're entitled to ask for a referral for specialist treatment on the NHS.

A referral depends on what your GP feels is clinically necessary in your case.

If you wish to be referred to a specialist in a particular field, such as a surgeon or a gynaecologist (a specialist in the female reproductive system), you should contact your GP. This is because all your medical records are held by that surgery.

Your GP also generally understands your health history and treatments better than anyone else and will base any decision for a specialist referral on this knowledge.

If you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist, they'll probably suggest that you first try various tests or treatment options to see whether your condition improves.

If it is decided that a referral from your GP is the best course of action then they will give the chosen specialist essential background information, such as your medical history, and it'll also contain details that the specialist needs to pay particular attention to.

For more information, see:

If you want to see a private specialist, you're still advised to get a letter of referral from your GP.

Whether you see a private specialist, with or without a GP referral, or are referred to an NHS specialist, your GP iwill still need to consider the specialist's recommendations.

When doctors write to each other about your care, they should aim to give you a copy of their letters or emails.

If you do not get a copy, you can ask for one.

Self Referral For Local Services

You can self-refer yourself into the following services within Camden:

 

Antenatal

https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/ 

If you know which hospital or trust you want to have your baby in, and you live in their catchment area, you can refer yourself to a hospital or a midwife-led team for antenatal care and delivery using the links below:

Hospital Telephone Number Self-Referral Form Website  
Royal Free 020 7830 2752 Royal Free Self-Referral Form Click here     
UCLH 020 3447 9354 UCLH Self-Referral Form Click here 
Whittington 020 7272 3070 Whittington Self-Referral Form Click here
St Mary's 020 3313 5222 St Mary's Self-Referral Form Click here

 

Breathe - Stop Smoking Service

Breathe is Camden & Islington’s stop-smoking service. It delivers a tiered model to ensure smokers receive the best support to help them stop smoking.

Patients can self-refer by telephone: 020 3633 2609 or via the online Breathe Self-Referral Form.

 

Camden Bladder & Bowel Service

Camden Specialist Adult Bladder and Bowel Service provides assessment, advice and management service to adult and children (over 5 years old) with complex bladder and bowel conditions in order to make sure that the most appropriate treatment and products are prescribed.

For additional information, please view the following leaflet here.

Patients can self-refer by telephone: 020 3317 3400.

 

Camden Care Navigation & Social Prescribing - Age UK

Age UK's Care Navigation & Social Prescribing Service helps people to receive the right support at the right time through:

  • Care navigation
  • Signposting to community and voluntary organisations
  • Information and advice
  • It consists of 4 linked services: Care Navigation, Community Links, Community Connectors and Wish Plus.

    Patients can self-refer by telephone: 0800 193 6067 or via email: camccg.socialprescribingreferral@nhs.net.

     

    Camden Carers Service

    Camden Carers Service offers advice, support and activities for family and unpaid carers across Camden.

    Patients can self-refer by telephone: 020 7428 8950 or via the online Camden Carers Self-Referral Form.

Patients can self-refer by telephone: 020 7428 8950 or via the online Camden Carers Self-Referral Form.

 

Camden MSK Services

The Camden Musculoskeletal (MSK) Services are an integration of a full range of MSK services available throughout Camden, including:

  • Community services (physio, CATS, podiatry and pain services)
  • Secondary care (orthopaedics and rheumatology)

For additional information, please view the following leaflet here.

Patients can self-refer by telephone: 020 7871 0545. 

 

iCAS - Integrated Camden Alcohol Service

The Integrated Camden Alcohol Service (iCAS) service offers help and support to people with alcohol concerns and to their family and friends. Support provide includes:

  • alcohol reduction plans
  • group work programme
  • community or inpatient detoxification
  • assessments for residential rehabilitation
  • psychological assessment and therapies
  • mental and physical health checks and advice

For additional information, please view the following leaflet here.

Patients can self-refer by telephone: 020 3227 4950 (book an appointment) or 0300 303 2420 (24-hour advice and referral line).

 

iCope - Psychological Therapies Services

iCope provide free, confidential help and support for problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.

There are times when everyone feels stressed or unhappy. Generally these times pass, but sometimes there are problems that do not go away and it can be harder to cope with them. At some point in their life, one in four people feels this way. 

Patients can self-refer by telephone: 020 3317 5600 or via the online iCope Self-Referral Form.

 

IESO - Talking Therapy

Ieso Digital Health provides evidence-based CBT, online. One-to-one therapy is delivered in real time, with patients meeting an accredited therapist in a secure online environment. Access to therapy is quick (83% of self-referrals start therapy within 6 weeks of referral), with evening and weekend appointments available. 

Patients can self-refer by telephone: 0800 074 5560 or via the online IESO Self-Referral Form.

 

Open Minded (Camden Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services - CAHMS) 

A set of services for children, young people (up to 18 years), their families, parents and carers who are experiencing emotional, behavioural and mental health problems. Support provide includes:

  • advice and support for parents
  • counselling and therapy for children
  • therapeutic work with the whole family 

For additional information, please view the following leaflet here.

Patients can self-refer by telephone: 020 8938 2241.

 

Rebalance – Adult Weight Management

Rebalance is a 12-week, group, weight-loss programme of exercise and dietary advice for overweight or obese adults. The programme covers: nutritional advice, healthy-eating guidance, online, cognitive behavioural support and support to get active. 

Patients can self-refer using the online Rebalance Self-Referral Form. 

 

Sexual Health Services

If you have no symptoms but would like a sexual health check-up you can sign-up online to Sexual Health London (SHL)  – a discreet service for Londoners.

For free and confidential sexual health, contraception and HIV services in London, please click here - appointments can be made online at your local clinic.

 

Unplanned & Termination of Pregnancy Services

All services support a woman's choice, whether she decides to continue with her pregnancy or to have a termination of pregnancy. Pre-and post-termination counselling is offered, along with sexual health advice and contraception service.

Women will be given a choice to be treated at clinics run by three providers:

Patients can self-refer by telephone: 0333 999 9951 (central booking service for all referrals)

 

NHS e-Referral Tracking

If your doctor has referred you to a specialist for further care you will be asked to book your appointment using the ‘NHS e-Referral’ system.

You will receive a letter from us within 2 weeks giving details of how to book your appointment and any passwords you may need.

To track your e-Referral you will need the following details to log into the e-Referral website:

  • Your date of birth
  • Reference number – this will be on the first page of your letter
  • Password – this will be on the second page of your letter

To track an e-Referral, click here.

Page last reviewed: 12 August 2025
Page created: 16 April 2020