Get a specialist referral letter online.
Most specialists ask for a GP referral before they will see you. Book a 20-minute video consultation, and where a referral is clinically appropriate the letter is written and emailed to you shortly after the call, ready to send to the specialist's rooms.
R300 · referral letter by email · valid nationwide- HPCSA-registered · MP1006886
- Practice no 1325523
- POPIA compliant
- HPCSA telemedicine guidance
Why referrals
Why specialists ask for a GP letter.
A referral letter is not a formality. It tells the specialist why you are coming, what has been assessed and tried already, your relevant history and medication, and what question needs answering. That context lets the specialist start in the right place instead of repeating groundwork, and it helps their rooms triage how urgently you should be seen.
Many specialist practices decline appointments without one, and most medical aid schemes expect specialist visits to follow a GP referral. Starting with a GP consultation is usually the fastest route to the right specialist, not a detour.
The process
From symptom to specialist in four steps.
- 01 · Book a consult
Pick a slot online.
Book a 20-minute video consultation at a time that suits you. Same-week availability is usual.
- 02 · Be assessed
A proper GP work-up.
The doctor takes your history, examines what can be assessed over video, and determines whether specialist care is the right next step.
- 03 · Letter written
Context the specialist needs.
Where referral is clinically appropriate, she writes a letter covering your presentation, relevant history, medication and the reason for referral.
- 04 · Emailed to you
Ready for the rooms.
The letter is emailed shortly after the consultation. Forward it to the specialist's rooms when you book, or bring it to your appointment.
Validity
As valid as a letter from any consulting room.
A referral letter from a video consultation carries the same standing as one written after an in-person visit: it is issued by an HPCSA-registered practitioner, on the practice's letterhead, with registration and practice numbers the receiving rooms can verify.
On medical aid: the letter itself is valid for any scheme. Whether your plan covers the specialist visit, and at what rate, depends on your scheme's rules, so it is worth confirming your specialist cover with them before the appointment. That is true of any referral, however it was issued.
Referrals to public hospitals work too. A clear letter from a GP helps the receiving team understand your history and route you to the right clinic, which can save you repeat visits.
Some referrals should not wait for a letter.
If your symptoms suggest something urgent, severe chest pain, stroke symptoms, acute abdominal pain, or anything rapidly worsening, go directly to an emergency department or call 10177. And where a condition needs hands-on examination before a meaningful referral can be written, the doctor will tell you and direct you to in-person care first.
The fee
One consultation, one fee.
One flat fee for the consultation, with the referral letter included where clinically appropriate. No extra charge for the letter.
- FeeR300 flat, weekday or Saturday
- Length20 minutes, extendable if clinically necessary
- IncludesScript, sick note or referral, where clinically appropriate
- DeliveryDocuments emailed straight after
- PaymentCard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, EFT, SnapScan
Medically reviewed by Dr Eltanin James, HPCSA MP1006886 · 22 July 2026
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Will the specialist accept a referral from a video consultation?+
Yes. The letter is issued by an HPCSA-registered practitioner with verifiable registration and practice numbers, which is what specialist rooms check. How the consultation happened does not change the letter's standing.
Will my medical aid cover the specialist visit?+
The referral letter is valid for any scheme, but cover for the specialist visit itself depends on your plan's rules and networks. Confirm your specialist benefit with your scheme before the appointment; that applies to any referral, from any GP.
Can I be referred to a public hospital?+
Yes. A GP referral letter helps the receiving team understand your history and direct you to the appropriate clinic, which often makes the public-sector journey smoother.
Can I choose which specialist I am referred to?+
Within clinical reason, yes. If you have a specialist or a hospital in mind, tell the doctor during the consultation and she can address the letter accordingly. If you do not, she will advise on the appropriate type of specialist for your condition.
Can I get a referral for scans or blood tests instead of a specialist?+
Yes, where clinically appropriate. Referrals for radiology or pathology work the same way: the doctor assesses you, and if investigations are indicated, the request is emailed after the consultation for you to take to the lab or imaging practice.
How quickly do I get the letter?+
Shortly after your consultation, by email, usually the same day. With same-week appointments generally available, most people go from booking to holding a referral letter within a few days.
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