NHS referrals: complete our survey
In the last 12 months, have you been referred to a specialist for tests, diagnosis or treatment by your GP practice?
If yes, please help us improve the referral process for everyone by sharing your experience.
If you would like to talk to us about this project in more detail or if you have any questions or need help completing the survey, please contact our project team:
- Email: info@healthwatchgloucestershire.co.uk
- Phone: 0800 652 5193
A GP practice referral is when a GP or other medical professional at a GP practice sends you to a specialist at a hospital or community clinic for further tests, diagnosis or treatment.
This can happen during a phone or face-to-face appointment. Referrals could be for a hip replacement, MRI scan, physiotherapy, mental health services, endoscopy and more.
In 2025, we heard that health care referrals were often delayed, lost or rejected, leading to delays in diagnosis, care and treatment. People also continue to tell us that communication while waiting was unclear, they are unsure about appointment timelines, and they are not always offered provider choice.
Healthwatch England refers to this as the referral black hole, where people are initially referred, but find themselves sitting in limbo between services without an update or confirmation. We hear that people often have to be proactive and follow up with services regarding the status of their referral, but the system can be hard to navigate.
We will use your experiences to understand how the referral process is currently working in Gloucestershire and use your feedback to help shape services.
