For referring clinicians
A clear referral.
A coordinated next step.
Prepare the clinical question, discuss urgency and agree the appropriate transfer route with the practice.
Emergency care comes first.
For a suspected medical emergency, contact emergency services or the nearest appropriate emergency department immediately. Do not wait for registration, document processing, email or a website reply.
The practice telephone is available Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00; it is not a 24-hour emergency service. Outside South Africa, use the local emergency number. Netcare emergency service information.
Agree the route. Confirm receipt.
- Emergency
Use the emergency contact route immediately. A referral message does not replace direct emergency assessment or transfer arrangements.
- Semi-urgent
Telephone the practice to discuss the clinical concern, deterioration and the required timeframe. Do not assume that an unread message has been triaged.
- Elective
Arrange the referral channel and appointment process with the practice. Keep confirmation of receipt and the agreed next step.
Prepare once. Confirm together.
Your referral information checklist.
Prepare relevant information within your usual clinical record, then transfer it through the route agreed with the practice. Missing insurance details must not delay emergency care.
Your professional details
Name, speciality, practice and direct callback number. Include your HPCSA registration number, or country, regulator and registration number for an international referral.
Open the official HPCSA registerA register search confirms the published registration entry; it does not authenticate the person sending a referral.
Identify the patient accurately
Given name, surname, date of birth and a relevant patient identifier where available. Include the patient’s contact number and an appropriate emergency contact’s name, relationship and number.
Confirm details against the source document. Record unknown information clearly.
Condition, urgency and onset
State the suspected or established condition, the question for the surgeon, urgency and recent deterioration. Include exact onset where possible, especially for new acute symptoms.
Include examination findings, significant conditions, allergies, medicines and previous vascular procedures.
Scheme details and investigations
Where relevant, include the medical scheme or insurer, plan/option, membership number and dependant details. Coverage and authorisation require separate confirmation.
List dated reports, laboratory results and imaging. Agree a transfer method for original imaging; photographs do not replace diagnostic-quality studies.
What happens next?
Confirm delivery
Obtain confirmation that the referral has reached the appropriate team. A sent message or completed form is not proof of receipt.
Agree the clinical next step
The practice confirms review arrangements and any additional information required. Discuss changing symptoms directly.
Keep communication clear
Confirm the appointment arrangements and the secure route for feedback to the referring team.
Use the general email link to arrange the route. Confirm how clinical records should be transferred before attaching patient information.