Specialist care
If you require specialist medical care, you will need a ‘referral’ from your General Practitioner.
You can access a specialist in two ways:
- through the private heath system
- though the public health system.
The choice of public or private
Specialist care in the public health system is free to those who qualify, but you may be put on a waiting list, depending on how your condition compares to other patients waiting for similar treatment. Waiting times vary according to region, urgency and type of treatment involved.
If you prefer to receive treatment from a private specialist through a private hospital, you (or your insurer) will be required to pay all the specialist’s fees and hospital costs.
Medical Insurance
If you have private medical insurance then depending on the policy it is likely it will cover specialist medical care to a specified level.
It is important and helpful to be familiar with your policy conditions so you know when you are able to ask your GP to recommend a private specialist consultation.
