Supporting primary care providers

Delivering quality care for your patients in a fraction of the time.
How to refer patients to us
Primary Care | GPs | Medefer
Benefits for GPs How to refer Patients How Medefer works 48 hr consultant review Medefer news
Primary Care | GPs | Medefer

Our aim at Medefer

Medefer is a multi-award-winning service that helps patients receive medical treatment faster. We work with many types of doctors and specialists. When you refer to Medefer, we take care of everything. We arrange tests, talk to patients, and keep you informed about what is happening.

We work with both national and local providers, including primary care and other independent sector providers. That means we can refer patients to the nearest location for diagnosis and treatment. If it is more than an hour away from your patient, we will transfer their care to the local hospital.


Learn more about our diagnostic service and location directory on the NHS e-RS service

Bringing care closer to home. Become a diagnostic partner.

Together, we can streamline healthcare, allowing you to focus on what matters—your patients. Becoming a diagnostic partner: We encourage GPs to work with us, delivering in-house testing, including blood tests and diagnostics, with full reimbursement for services.

  • We take over patient care soon after the referral, so you don’t have to do as much
  • Your patients usually see a consultant within 48 hours, which means less waiting and more support
  • Medefer handles the tests and results, so you don’t have to worry about these details
  • We make sure your patients get the follow-up care they need, keeping you in the loop every step of the way
Primary Care | GPs | Medefer
  • Patients get a specialist review in about 48 hours. This is much faster than waiting weeks for an appointment
  • Many patients don’t need to travel far. Some just need a review, advice, or a simple blood test that can be done close by
  • Patients can pick from many test locations. If they prefer, they can also choose to go to their local NHS hospital
Primary Care | GPs | Medefer
  • Medefer aims to support, not replace, local NHS services
  • Your patients usually see a consultant within 48 hours, which means less waiting and more support
  • Medefer handles the tests and results, so you don’t have to worry about these details
Primary Care | GPs | Medefer

Medefer has a proven track record through our outpatient services, reducing the need for patients to attend a traditional outpatient setting. Up to 90% of patients can be cared for without the need for outpatient attendances.

  • This reduces demand on hospitals, freeing local specialist services to focus on the patients only they can deal with
  • This supports primary care by improving access to specialist care and reducing the burden of waiting on primary care services when patients seek help and care while waiting
  • Patients are at the centre of everything we do. Using Medefer can significantly reduce the time patients wait, leading to early diagnosis and potentially better outcomes
Primary Care | GPs | Medefer

How to refer patients to Medefer

Download PDF guide for your practice

Making an e-Referral (e-RS)
Referring a patient to Medefer is simple. You use the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) just like you do for other referrals.

  1. When you refer a patient, choose Medefer as the provider.
  2. Select the correct type of clinic and specialty for the patient’s needs.
  3. If you can’t see Medefer on the list of providers using a standard search you can simply type ‘Medefer’ in the organisation option to find our services.
  4. Select the Medefer service that is closest to the patient.
  5. Once you have made the referral, we take over from there.

After you refer a patient to us, we will send them a welcome letter. This letter explains who we are, how we help, and how to reach us. An NHS consultant will look at the patient’s case typically within 48 hours. If the consultant thinks more information is needed or if tests, procedures, surgery and prescriptions are required, Medefer will arrange these. We will keep you informed every step of the way. If tests are not needed, the consultant will let you know what the next steps are for your patient’s care.

After you refer a patient to us, we will send them a welcome letter. This letter explains who we are, how we help, and how to reach us. An NHS consultant will look at the patient’s case typically within 48 hours. If the consultant thinks more information is needed or if tests, procedures, surgery and prescriptions are required, Medefer will arrange these. We will keep you informed every step of the way. If tests are not needed, the consultant will let you know what the next steps are for your patient’s care.

Sometimes, a patient might need to see a consultant in person. If that happens, we will arrange a referral for you via e-RS, to reduce delays and unnecessary burden on primary care service. In some cases, we can even book an appointment for them at a local hospital. We make sure that the patient knows what to do and where to go.

How Medefer works

Learn how to do this

Referring a patient to Medefer is simple. You use the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) just like you do for other referrals. Here’s how:

  1. When you refer a patient, choose Medefer as the provider.
  2. Select the correct type of clinic and specialty for the patient’s needs.
  3. Type ‘Medefer’ into the search box to find our services.
  4. Select the Medefer service that is closest to the patient.
  5. Once you have made the referral, we take over from there.

After you refer a patient to us, we will send them a welcome letter. This letter explains who we are, how we help, and how to reach us. A specialist doctor will look at the patient’s case within 48 hours. 

If the doctor thinks more information is needed or if tests are required, Medefer will arrange these. We will keep you informed of the doctor’s decision. If tests are not needed, the doctor will let you know what the next steps are for your patient’s care.

Medefer works with many partners to provide tests and treatments. If a patient needs a test, we will tell them how to set it up. Tests can often be done close to home, or if they want, they can choose a different location. If the nearest test location is more than an hour away, we will offer to transfer their care to a local hospital.

Sometimes, a patient might need to see a specialist in person. If that happens, we help them book an appointment. In some cases, we can even book an appointment for them at a local hospital. We make sure that the patient knows what to do and where to go.

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