The NHS e-Referral Service is an electronic booking service for people living in England.
It allows you to choose from different hospitals and clinics across England (including some private hospitals).
Finding a hospital
If you’re unsure about which hospital or clinic to choose, your GP can advise you on what might be the best choice for you.
When choice is limited
There are some exceptions that may limit your choice – for example, not all hospitals are able to treat every condition, and a hospital must meet NHS conditions on standards and costs.
You also can’t choose when and what services to use in cases where speed of access to diagnosis and treatment is particularly important, such as:
- emergency services
- rapid access chest pain clinics, which are used to diagnosis people with suspected heart problems such an angina, where you must be seen within the 2-week maximum waiting time
- cancer services, where you must be seen within the 2-week maximum waiting time
- maternity services
- mental health services
The following people can’t choose where to receive treatment:
- people held under the Mental Health Act 1983
- military personnel
- prisoners (including prisoners on temporary release)
