Understanding your medical notes
Referral letter explained: how to read yours in plain English
Your GP has referred you to a specialist — but the letter is written for that specialist, not for you. This guide explains what a referral letter contains, what urgency labels like "routine", "urgent" and "2-week wait" really mean, and how to decode the shorthand, so you know what's being asked and what happens next.
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Explain my referral letter → Your text isn't stored. Available on web, iOS & Android.What is a referral letter?
A referral letter is the note your GP writes to a specialist or hospital service, asking them to assess, advise on, or treat a specific problem. It gives the specialist the background they need before they see you — which is why it's full of clinical shorthand. It's still your information, and understanding it helps you know what to expect.
What's in a referral letter, section by section
- Patient details — your name, date of birth, and contact information.
- Reason for referral (Re:) — the main problem and what the GP is asking the specialist to do (an opinion, a test, or treatment).
- Relevant history — a summary of the problem so far and any related past medical history (PMH).
- Current medications (DH) — the drugs you're taking, sometimes with allergies.
- Examination findings (o/e) — what the GP found when they examined you.
- Investigations (Ix) — any tests already done and their results.
- Urgency — routine, urgent, or 2-week wait (see below).
Routine, urgent, and "2-week wait": what the labels mean
The urgency label tells you how quickly the GP wants you seen — it reflects timing, not necessarily how serious the eventual diagnosis is:
- Routine — no immediate time pressure; waiting times depend on the service.
- Urgent — the GP is asking for faster-than-routine assessment.
- 2-week wait (2WW) — a fast-track pathway (used in England) to be seen within two weeks, often to quickly rule out certain conditions including suspected cancer. Most people referred this way do not turn out to have cancer — it's a precaution to ensure rapid assessment.
Common referral abbreviations, decoded
| Shorthand | What it means |
|---|---|
| Re: | "Regarding" — the reason for the referral |
| PMH | Past medical history |
| DH | Drug history (your current medications) |
| o/e | On examination — what the GP found examining you |
| c/o | Complaining of — the symptoms you reported |
| Ix | Investigations (tests) |
| Dx | Diagnosis |
| ? | "Query" or "possible" — a suspected, unconfirmed diagnosis (e.g. ?angina) |
| 2WW | Two-week wait — fast-track urgent referral pathway |
| FYI | For your information |
| NAD | No abnormality detected |
See a term that isn't here? Patiently AI's built-in medical glossary covers over 9,000 terms — or paste the whole letter in and it explains everything in context.
What happens after a referral?
The service receiving your referral usually reviews ("triages") it to decide priority, then contacts you with an appointment or next steps. Timing depends on the urgency label and the service's waiting list. If you haven't heard within the expected timeframe, it's reasonable to chase it with the GP practice or the hospital booking team.
Not sure what your referral is actually asking?
Patiently AI turns "Re: ?inflammatory arthropathy, o/e synovitis MCPJs, please assess, urgent" into plain English — what the GP suspects, what they found, and what they're asking the specialist to do.
Try it with your own letter → Paste, upload, or photograph your referral letter.Questions to ask your GP about your referral
- What exactly are you asking the specialist to do?
- What urgency is the referral, and roughly how long might I wait?
- What does the suspected ("?") diagnosis mean, and what else could it be?
- Is there anything I should do — or watch for — while I wait?
- Who should I contact if I don't hear back in time?
Patiently AI generates personalised "Questions for your doctor" automatically from your letter — so nothing important goes unasked.
Frequently asked questions
What is a referral letter?
It's the note your GP (or another clinician) writes to a specialist or hospital service, asking them to assess, advise on, or treat a particular problem. It summarises your relevant history, medications, examination findings, and any tests done, and states what the GP is asking the specialist to do.
What does a "2-week wait" referral mean?
A 2-week wait (2WW) referral, used in England, means you should be seen by a specialist within two weeks. It's used when a GP wants to quickly assess or rule out certain conditions, including suspected cancer. Most people referred this way do not turn out to have cancer — it's a precaution to ensure rapid assessment.
What's the difference between routine and urgent referrals?
Routine means there's no immediate time pressure and waiting times depend on the service. Urgent asks for faster assessment because of the nature of the problem. A 2-week wait is a specific fast-track urgent pathway. The label reflects how quickly the GP thinks you should be seen, not necessarily how serious the diagnosis will be.
What does "?" mean before a condition in my referral?
A question mark before a condition (for example "?angina") means "query" or "possible". It's the GP flagging a suspected diagnosis they want the specialist to investigate — not a confirmed one. It signals what's being checked for so the specialist knows where to focus.
Can Patiently AI explain my referral letter?
Yes. Paste the letter — or upload a photo, PDF, or Word file — and Patiently AI explains what the referral says and is asking for in plain English, decodes the abbreviations, and suggests questions to ask. It's free, needs no account, and removes identifying details on your device before processing.