What This Service Covers
This consultation serves two closely related clinical needs:
Specialist ReferralsA formal referral letter to the appropriate specialist, issued by an Irish-registered doctor following clinical assessment — accepted by both public and private specialist services across Ireland.
Diagnostic Investigation RequestsA formal doctor's request for blood tests, imaging, or other investigations — required by most laboratories and imaging centres before they will process tests for a patient, even privately.
If you are unsure whether you need a referral, an investigation, or both — book this consultation. Your doctor will assess your concern and advise on the most appropriate clinical pathway.
Specialist Referrals — What's Included
Full Clinical AssessmentYour doctor will conduct a thorough review of your symptoms, medical history, current medications, and any existing test results or clinical letters — building a complete picture before making any referral decision.
Clinical Determination of Referral NeedBased on your assessment, your doctor will advise on whether specialist referral is clinically appropriate, which type of specialist is most relevant to your concern, and the urgency of that referral.
Formal Referral LetterWhere specialist referral is clinically indicated, your doctor will issue a formal referral letter addressed to the appropriate specialist — accepted by both public and private specialist services across Ireland.
Navigation SupportFor patients new to Ireland or unfamiliar with the Irish healthcare system, your doctor will explain the referral pathway clearly — including the difference between public and private specialist access, expected timelines, and what to bring to your specialist appointment.
Specialists Commonly Referred To
- Medical Specialties
- Cardiology — heart and cardiovascular concerns
- Endocrinology — diabetes, thyroid, and hormonal conditions
- Gastroenterology — digestive conditions and bowel concerns
- Neurology — headaches, neurological symptoms, and movement disorders
- Pulmonology — respiratory and lung conditions
- Rheumatology — joint, bone, and autoimmune conditions
- Nephrology — kidney function and related concerns
- Haematology — blood disorders and related conditions
- Dermatology — skin conditions requiring specialist assessment
- Surgical Specialties
- General surgery — abdominal concerns, hernias, and surgical assessment
- Orthopaedics — bone, joint, and musculoskeletal conditions
- Urology — urinary tract and prostate concerns
- ENT — ear, nose, and throat conditions
- Ophthalmology — eye conditions and vision concerns
- Women's & Men's Health
- Gynaecology — women's reproductive and hormonal health
- Andrology and urology — men's health and urological concerns
- Mental Health
- Psychiatry — complex mental health assessment and management
- Psychology — therapeutic support and assessment referral
- Other
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
- Dietetics and nutritional assessment
- Pain management specialists
- Oncology — where urgent or suspected cancer referral is clinically indicated
If the specialist you need is not listed, discuss your concern during the consultation. Your doctor will advise on the most appropriate referral pathway.
Diagnostic Investigations — What's Included
Many diagnostic tests in Ireland require a doctor's formal request before a laboratory or imaging centre will process them — even for private, self-paying patients. Our doctors can assess your concern and, where clinically indicated, issue a formal investigation request the same day.
- Blood Tests & Laboratory
- Full blood count and metabolic panel
- Liver and kidney function
- Hormonal profiles — thyroid, testosterone, oestrogen, cortisol, progesterone
- Diabetes screening — HbA1c and fasting glucose
- Cholesterol and cardiovascular risk panel
- Inflammatory markers — CRP and ESR
- Vitamin and mineral levels — B12, vitamin D, iron, and ferritin
- STI screening panels
- Coeliac, autoimmune, and allergy panels
- Cancer markers where clinically indicated
- Imaging
- X-ray — chest, musculoskeletal, and abdominal
- MRI — brain, spine, joints, and soft tissue
- CT scan — chest, abdomen, pelvis, and head
- Ultrasound — abdominal, pelvic, soft tissue, and vascular
- DEXA scan — bone density assessment
- Mammography — where clinically indicated
- Cardiac & Respiratory
- ECG referral and interpretation request
- 24-hour Holter monitor referral
- Spirometry referral
- Echocardiogram referral
- Other Investigations
- Allergy testing referral
- Sleep study referral
- Neurophysiology — nerve conduction studies
- Colonoscopy and endoscopy referral
Investigation requests are issued where clinically indicated following full assessment. Your doctor will advise on which investigations are most appropriate for your specific concern and clinical history. Results interpretation and follow-up can be arranged through a subsequent consultation.
Public vs Private — What You Need to Know
Navigating the Irish healthcare system is one of the most common points of confusion for patients — particularly expats and international residents unfamiliar with how referrals and investigations work here.
Public pathway — referrals and investigations through the HSE are free or low-cost but carry significant waiting times, often months to years for non-urgent concerns. A GP referral letter or investigation request is required to access the public system.
Private pathway — private specialist clinics and imaging centres offer significantly faster access, often within days or weeks, but carry the cost of private consultation and investigation fees. A doctor's referral letter or investigation request is still required by most private services, even for self-paying patients.
Our referral letters and investigation requests are accepted by both public and private services across Ireland. Your doctor will advise on the most appropriate pathway for your specific concern and clinical urgency.
A Note for Expats and International Residents
Accessing specialist care or diagnostic investigations in Ireland without a registered GP is one of the most significant healthcare barriers facing the expat and international community. Most specialist services and imaging centres require a doctor's referral before accepting a new patient or processing a test — regardless of whether you are paying privately.
Our service provides that clinical gateway — a thorough assessment by an Irish-registered doctor and formal referral letters or investigation requests that open the door to specialist and diagnostic services across Ireland, regardless of whether you have a registered GP, a PPS number, or a medical card.
Why Patients Choose Us
Same-day referral letters and investigation requestsWhere clinically indicated, letters and requests are issued digitally on the same day as your consultation — so you can contact your chosen specialist or book your investigation immediately.
Irish-registered doctorsAll assessments, referral letters, and investigation requests are issued by doctors registered to practise in Ireland. Our letters meet the standard required across the Irish healthcare system.
Accepted by public and private servicesOur referral letters and investigation requests are accepted by HSE public services, private specialist clinics, and private imaging and laboratory services across Ireland.
No GP registration requiredYou do not need to be registered with a local GP or have a PPS number to access this service. We provide the clinical gateway to specialist and diagnostic care for every patient who needs it.
Results follow-up availableReceived your results and not sure what they mean? A follow-up consultation can be booked to review your findings and advise on next steps — ensuring continuity of care beyond the initial referral.
Multi-lingualConsultations available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech, and Romanian — removing the language barrier that prevents many international residents from navigating the Irish specialist and diagnostic system effectively.
