Get a Physiotherapy Referral Letter Today

It depends on how you're accessing physiotherapy. If you're self-paying and booking directly with an independent clinic, most will see you without a GP referral. However, if you're using private health insurance — particularly AXA Health or Aviva — a GP referral letter is typically required before they will issue a pre-authorisation code and cover your sessions. Spire, Nuffield, and other private hospital physiotherapy departments may also request a referral letter. If your insurer or clinic has asked for one, a FastDoc referral letter satisfies standard requirements.

Yes, AXA Health typically requires a GP referral before authorising physiotherapy sessions under most policies. You will need a referral letter from a GP or registered doctor before contacting AXA to obtain a pre-authorisation code. FastDoc referral letters are issued by GMC-registered doctors and meet AXA's requirements. Always check your specific policy and obtain pre-authorisation before booking your first appointment.

Yes, Aviva typically requires a GP referral letter before authorising physiotherapy treatment. Unlike Bupa and Vitality, which offer direct access physiotherapy pathways, Aviva generally requires the standard GP referral and pre-authorisation route. A FastDoc referral letter issued by a GMC-registered doctor meets this requirement. Confirm with Aviva before booking and ensure you have a pre-authorisation reference before your first session.

Bupa generally offers direct access physiotherapy for most policies, meaning you can book and start treatment without a GP referral letter. However, some Bupa policies or specific conditions may still require a referral. Always check your policy details and confirm with Bupa before assuming direct access applies to your situation. If your Bupa policy does require a referral, a FastDoc letter will satisfy the requirement.

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 physiotherapist or insurer immediately.

FastDoc can issue physiotherapy referral letters for a wide range of musculoskeletal and soft tissue conditions including back pain, sciatica, neck pain, sports injuries, knee pain, shoulder problems (including frozen shoulder and rotator cuff injuries), hip pain, ankle problems, repetitive strain injuries, post-operative rehabilitation, and chronic joint conditions such as osteoarthritis. If you are unsure whether your condition qualifies, describe your symptoms in the form and our doctor will assess.

With a FastDoc referral letter in hand, most private physiotherapy clinics can offer an initial assessment within 24–72 hours. This compares to NHS MSK physiotherapy waits of 4–18 weeks at many trusts. Evening and weekend appointments are often available at private clinics, and follow-up sessions can typically be scheduled within days rather than weeks.

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

No. FastDoc referrals are for private healthcare only. NHS physiotherapy must be accessed through your NHS GP or via self-referral where available in your area. FastDoc helps you access private physiotherapy faster, without waiting for an NHS GP appointment or joining an NHS waiting list.

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.