What is the difference between a referral and a consultation, and why does my GP need to send me?

A referral is when a clinician asks another clinician to take over or share care. In public systems a GP referral is often required to access specialist billing and wait lists. A consultation is an opinion that may return the patient to the referring clinician. FasTreat also offers private online ADHD assessment and ongoing care, depending on your needs and clinical assessment. Related reading: https://www.fastreat.com/en/adhd-faq References: https://www.camh.ca/en/professionals/treating-conditions-and-disorders/adult-adhd/adult-adhd---treatment/adult-adhd---pharmacotherapy https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87/chapter/recommendations https://www.caddra.ca/guideline-overview/

I tried to book a psychiatrist the way I book a dentist and bounced off a referral required message. I took it as being blocked on purpose. My GP then sent something and I still did not have a date, which made the whole distinction feel academic. I keep calling it a referral even when I am not sure it was a consultation. Messy on my side. I would not tell anyone they should skip their GP or that public booking is supposed to feel simple.