How to Get Referred to the Neurology Department
Referrals to the Neurology Department are made by your GP through the Advice and Guidance system.
Your GP can use this system to seek specialist advice and determine whether a referral to a neurologist is needed. For many conditions, such as headache, your GP may be able to arrange the appropriate investigations and provide treatment without needing to refer you to a neurologist.
To find out more about the Advice and Guidance system and the referral pathways, please follow the links below.
How to Communicate with the Neurology Department
If you are already under the care of the Neurology Department, there are several ways to get in touch:
Clinical Nurse Specialist Team
For certain conditions, you may be able to contact a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for advice. Details on how to get in touch can often be found on the Neurology Referral Information for GPs pages.
Secretarial Support
If you need to contact a neurology secretary, please be aware that there is often shared cover, and the secretary may need to take a message.
- When calling the secretary, please provide the following details:
- The name of the neurologist you see
- The medications you take, including dose and frequency
- The nature of your enquiry
Preparing for your Neurology Appointment
Appointment length
A new patient appointment usually lasts 20–30 minutes, and a follow-up around 15 minutes. The first visit often focuses on understanding your symptoms and making a diagnosis. Sometimes treatment or further tests are arranged afterwards.
Delays
Clinics can occasionally run behind schedule, particularly when patients have complex needs. If this happens, we will do our best to keep you informed and appreciate your patience.
Medical records
Scans and notes from UHB will be available to your neurologist. Records from other hospitals are not automatically shared, but they can be requested after your appointment if needed.
Seizures or blackouts
If you are being seen for seizures or blackouts, it can be very helpful to bring someone who has witnessed one, or arrange for them to be available on the phone.
Clothing
Wearing loose clothing makes examinations easier and more comfortable, as sleeves and trouser legs can be rolled up without needing to get changed.
After your appointment
A letter summarising your consultation will usually be sent to both you and your GP. In most cases, your GP will be able to start and continue any medication that is recommended.
Advice and refer
University Hospitals Birmingham is using advice and refer as the only process for referrals from GPs for neurology, using the advice and guidance functionality on the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). This will not change for cancer and two week wait (2WW) referrals.
For further information for patients, please see our advice and refer page.
Neurology referral information for GPs
For information on what a GP needs to include and think about when referring to Neurology at UHB, please see the GP referrals section.
Last reviewed: 20 August 2025