Cancer Support

Your urgent referral explained

What is an urgent referral?

Your GP has arranged for you to see a hospital doctor (specialist) urgently. This is to investigate your symptoms further. You may have some tests to find out what is wrong and if it could be cancer.

However, more than 9 out of 10 people referred this way are not diagnosed with cancer.

How quickly will I be seen?

An urgent referral will be processed as quickly as possible and an appointment arranged for you. In England an urgent referral means that you should see a specialist within 2 weeks.

For information and support you can call the confidential Cancer Research UK helpline, staffed by experienced nurses. They are available Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 on 0808 800 4040.

Urgent referral information by Cancer Research UK (PDF)

Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org/what-is-an-urgent-referral?