Get a Dermatology Referral Letter Today

It depends on how you are accessing private dermatology. If you are self-paying and booking directly with an independent clinic, most private dermatologists will see you without a GP referral. However, if you are using private health insurance — Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, or any other major insurer — you will almost certainly need a GP referral letter before your insurer will issue a pre-authorisation code. Booking without one and then trying to claim can result in your insurer declining to cover the cost. A FastDoc referral letter from a GMC-registered doctor satisfies all standard insurer requirements.

Yes. For most conditions, Bupa requires a GP referral letter before they will authorise a specialist dermatology consultation. Unlike physiotherapy, Bupa does not offer a Direct Access pathway for dermatology — a GP referral is the standard requirement. You will need to obtain your referral letter and then contact Bupa to receive a pre-authorisation code before booking your appointment with a Bupa-recognised consultant. A FastDoc referral letter meets Bupa's requirements.

Yes. AXA Health requires a GP referral letter before authorising specialist dermatology consultations. AXA also prefers an open referral — to the specialty of dermatology rather than a named consultant — which is exactly how FastDoc referral letters are structured. Obtain your referral letter, then contact AXA with the details to get your pre-authorisation code before booking.

With a FastDoc referral letter, most private dermatology clinics can offer a mole assessment appointment within 24–48 hours. This is particularly important because the NHS two-week wait standard for suspected skin cancer referrals was removed in August 2023 — routine and even some urgent mole referrals now join the general NHS dermatology waiting list, which can be 6–18 weeks in many areas. If you have a changing, new, or concerning mole, private assessment gives you a clinical opinion within days.

Same day if you order before 8pm on the Standard service (£44.95). Our Premium service (£59.95) puts you at the top of the queue for fastest processing. Once a GMC-registered doctor has reviewed your case and issued the referral, it is sent directly to your email as a PDF — ready to present to your dermatologist or insurer immediately.

FastDoc can issue dermatology referral letters for a wide range of conditions including moles and suspicious skin lesions, acne (including severe acne requiring isotretinoin), eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, hair loss (alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, scalp conditions), unexplained rashes and urticaria, nail conditions, skin infections, cysts, and other skin lesions. If you are unsure whether your condition qualifies, describe your symptoms in the form and our doctor will assess.

Yes. Isotretinoin (commonly known as Roaccutane) can only be prescribed under specialist dermatologist supervision in the UK — it cannot be prescribed by a GP. A FastDoc referral letter to a dermatologist opens the pathway to this treatment if the dermatologist determines it is clinically appropriate for your acne. The dermatologist will conduct their own assessment before prescribing.

If our GMC-registered doctor reviews your case and determines that a dermatology referral is not clinically appropriate, you will receive a full refund and an explanation. We will not issue referrals that are not medically justified. In some cases, the doctor may suggest an alternative course of action or a different specialist.

No. FastDoc referrals are for private healthcare only. NHS dermatology must be accessed through your NHS GP, who will refer you via the NHS e-Referral Service. FastDoc helps you access private dermatology faster — without NHS waiting lists or the need for an NHS GP appointment.

Yes. All information you provide is encrypted, securely stored, and only accessed by the doctor reviewing your case. FastDoc is fully GDPR compliant and never shares your information with third parties without your explicit consent.