Two-week wait referrals

An urgent two-week referral usually means that you will be offered an appointment with a hospital specialist within 2 weeks of your General Practitioner (GP), General Dental Practitioner (GDP) or Optometrist making the referral.

Why am I being urgently referred?

Your GP/GDP/Optometrist feels that you have symptoms that require investigation by a hospital specialist as soon as possible. This is so that your illness can be diagnosed and treated quickly and effectively.

Whilst this does include the possibility of cancer, the majority of people referred in this way do not have cancer.

The signs and symptoms you have may be caused by a number of common conditions but it is important that the hospital knows about your GP’s concerns in order to fully investigate your condition.

It is important to remember that even though you are being referred urgently, this DOES NOT necessarily mean that you have cancer.

Visit the Northern Cancer Alliance for more about fast-track referrals.