Since January 2023, the „GP referral case“ has been an instrument of the Legislator, in order to refer medically urgent cases in a targeted and timely manner when waiting times for specialist appointments are increasing. In principle, we consider this control to be sensible, in practical application, jHowever, there is also a relevant potential for misuse or misapplication, which is why we Clear criteria for our practice have defined.
Requirements for a GP referral case in our practice
- A mediation case is exclusively about a family doctor's practice that cooperates closely with us possible.
- The family doctor diagnoses an urgent complaint which, in his opinion, requires a prompt consultation with a specialist.
- It is not the patient themselves, but the family doctor or their non-medical staff who contact us by telephone via our „direct line“ and make an appointment.
- The referral form with a clearly formulated question must then be sent to our practice immediately by fax.
- A later postponement of appointments is generally not possible in such cases or is no longer prioritized.
Referrals by referrers still unknown to us
Please note: As a rule, your family doctor (who is not yet known to us) already cooperates closely with another urologist or gastroenterologist; in these cases, the referral should preferably be made to this familiar specialist. Of course, in individual cases we also examine referrals from GPs not yet known to us. Here, however, the requirements for proof of actual medical urgency are higher - abuse leads to the exclusion of the practice.