If you want to know what was written in your NHS referral, start with the organisation that created or holds the information. A GP referral letter is usually created by the referring practice and may also be attached to the NHS e-Referral Service for the receiving provider.
You do not always need to make a formal subject access request just to ask for a copy of a referral letter. In many cases the GP surgery or hospital can tell you how to access the relevant information. If routine access is not available, you can ask about your right to access your health records.
What is a referral letter?
A referral letter or clinical referral information explains why you are being referred, relevant symptoms or findings, clinical history and other information the specialist needs.
Who usually creates it?
For a GP referral, the GP practice or another referring clinician normally creates the clinical information. NHS e-Referral guidance states that referral information is attached electronically to the referral.
Can you ask the GP surgery for a copy?
Yes. Start by asking the surgery whether the referral letter is available in your GP record or can be provided directly. The exact process varies by practice.
Can you see it in the NHS App?
Some documents and coded record information may be visible through NHS account services, but not every referral letter will necessarily appear there. If you cannot see it, ask the GP surgery.
BetterCare’s NHS App guide explains what records and appointment information may be available.
Can the hospital give you a copy?
The hospital may hold the referral information it received, but the simplest route may still be the GP surgery that created it. If you are already under hospital care, ask the relevant records team or specialty service what they can provide.
What if you want your whole record?
If you want broader access to your medical information, you may need to use the organisation’s records-access or subject-access process. NHS England Digital advises patients seeking medical records to contact the GP or healthcare setting that provided the care.
What is a subject access request?
Under data-protection law, you can request access to personal data held about you. Health organisations may ask for identity verification and can sometimes clarify the scope of a large request.
Do you need a formal request for one letter?
Not necessarily. Ask informally first. A formal request is more useful when routine access is unavailable or you want a broader set of records.
Why might you want the referral letter?
You may want to check that symptoms were described accurately, understand what specialty was requested, prepare for the appointment, or keep your own care records.
What if something in the referral is wrong?
Contact the GP or referrer promptly. Explain exactly what you believe is inaccurate. Do not edit or alter the document yourself.
Can you ask for information to be corrected?
You can raise factual inaccuracies with the organisation holding the record. Whether the original record is amended, annotated or supplemented depends on the circumstances and record-keeping rules.
What if important information was left out?
Tell the referrer. If the referral is still being processed, the GP may be able to add information or contact the provider. If the specialist appointment is already booked, bring a clear summary and relevant documents to the appointment.
What if the referral is urgent?
Do not delay urgent care simply because you want to read the letter first. The referral can proceed while you separately ask for access to the information.
Can family members request it for you?
Health records are confidential. A relative normally needs your permission or another legal basis to access your information. NHS guidance states that third parties need proof they are authorised to act.
What if you are a carer?
If you manage appointments for an older or disabled relative, keep consent and authority clear. BetterCare’s care-folder guide explains how to organise documents without confusing access rights.
Referral letter versus appointment letter
The referral letter contains clinical information sent by the referrer. The appointment letter tells you when and where to attend and may include preparation instructions. They are not the same document.
Referral letter versus clinic letter
A clinic letter is usually written after a hospital consultation and sent back to the GP, often summarising findings and the plan. BetterCare’s outpatient follow-up guide explains what happens after the appointment.
Referral letter versus e-RS booking letter
The e-Referral booking letter contains booking or login information. It is not necessarily the same as the clinical referral letter.
BetterCare’s lost e-Referral details guide covers booking references and access codes.
What if the GP says it was sent electronically?
Ask whether the clinical referral information can be printed or shared with you through the practice’s normal records-access process.
What if there was no traditional letter?
Some referrals use structured forms, templates or electronic attachments rather than a narrative letter. Ask for the referral information rather than insisting on a document literally titled “referral letter”.
What if the referral is missing information?
Incomplete referrals can be returned or delayed. BetterCare’s referral sent back to GP guide explains what may happen when more information is needed.
A simple request script
You can ask: “Please can I have a copy of the clinical information or referral letter sent with my referral to [specialty/service] on or around [date]?” This is clearer than asking for “all my records” when you only need one document.
Keep the copy securely
Referral letters can contain sensitive health information. Store paper copies safely and avoid sending them through insecure channels unless necessary.
The main point
Start with the GP or referring organisation, ask for the specific referral information, and use a formal records-access request only if needed. Knowing what was sent can help you prepare for the specialist appointment and correct obvious factual errors early.
What NHS records guidance says
NHS England Digital’s records-access guidance explains that people seeking medical records should contact the GP or healthcare setting that provided the care or treatment.
Can the GP refuse to show you the referral?
There can be limited legal reasons why some information is withheld, for example where disclosure could cause serious harm or reveal confidential information about another person. Those are exceptions rather than reasons to assume you cannot ask.
How long can a formal records request take?
Subject-access requests are generally handled under data-protection timeframes and identity may need to be verified. If you only want one referral letter, an informal request may be faster and less burdensome for everyone.
What if the referral was created by another professional?
Ask the organisation that made the referral: for example, a dentist, optometrist, physiotherapist or other clinician. The GP may not hold the original document if it did not originate there.
What if the hospital changed the referral after triage?
The original referral and the hospital’s triage notes are different records. If you want to understand why the pathway changed, you may need both the original referral information and the provider’s outcome or triage response.
What if you want proof the referral was actually sent?
Ask for the referral date, destination and, if applicable, e-RS booking reference. A copy of the clinical information can show what was intended, while the e-RS activity can confirm the referral pathway.
Can you request only the relevant pages?
Yes. A narrow request such as “the referral letter and any referral outcome for my ENT referral in August 2026” is often clearer than asking for your entire medical history.
What if you spot a factual error?
Write down the exact statement, explain why it is inaccurate and provide any evidence if relevant. The organisation can then decide how to correct or annotate the record under its record-keeping process.
What if you disagree with a clinical opinion?
A disagreement with a clinician’s opinion is different from a factual error. You can ask for your disagreement to be noted or discuss it with the clinician, but the original professional opinion may remain part of the record.
How a copy can help before the appointment
Reading the referral can remind you which symptoms were emphasised and what questions the specialist is being asked to address. Bring your own updated symptom list if anything has changed since the referral was written.
How to keep a referral copy in a care folder
Store it with appointment letters, medication lists and test results. BetterCare’s medicine-list guide can help organise the information you take to appointments.
A practical request example
“Please send me a copy of the referral information sent to neurology on 12 August 2026, including the referral letter or form and any outcome message returned to the practice.” This is specific enough for staff to understand what you need.
Another practical example
If you were referred by an optometrist rather than your GP, ask the optometry service first. If the hospital already received it, you can separately ask the provider about the records it holds.
Reviewed: September 2026. General NHS records-navigation information; local access processes vary.
