As experienced GPs, we can diagnose and treat many conditions ourselves. However, if you need an onward referral to a specialist, we can arrange this.
We can usually refer into the NHS if clinically appropriate; the entitlement to NHS care sits with the patient, not the referrer, so private GPs can refer patients to NHS outpatient clinics when necessary. We make a lot of NHS referrals and we are happy to refer you to a local NHS hospital as long as you meet the usual NHS referral criteria.
The NHS has a waiting list tracker tool called “My Planned Care”: this means you can see how long you are likely to be waiting for your first outpatient appointment, and for your treatment/surgery, if you have been referred to an NHS hospital. The waiting list figures are grouped by department, so it’s not an exact guide, and for urgent problems you are likely to be seen more quickly than these figures, while for less urgent issues you may be waiting longer. Here are the figures for the Trust that includes Aintree Hospital, and here are the figures for the Trust which includes Southport & Ormskirk.
We can also refer to local private hospitals such as Renacres, the Sefton Suite, and Spire Liverpool, if you would prefer the speed and convenience of private care.
If you have any questions about our referrals process, or if you’d like to check anything before booking an appointment, do drop us an email on clinical@formbygp.net or give us a ring on 01704 617050.
