Do I Need a GP Referral to See a Specialist in Malta?

Public system: referral is the usual route

For many specialist outpatient services in Malta’s public healthcare system, the patient is referred by a GP or another appropriate doctor. Malta’s Primary HealthCare GP service provides assessment, treatment, investigations and referral to consultants where necessary.

The referral tells the specialist team what the problem is and how urgent it seems, which helps them prioritise appointments.

Private system: it depends

Private specialists may sometimes accept direct appointments without a GP referral, depending on the specialist and provider. Some prefer or require a referral letter. Private health insurers may also have their own rules, so check your policy before booking.

Why starting with a GP still helps

• You may not know which specialty fits your symptoms.
• A GP can arrange initial tests so the specialist visit is more productive.
• Many problems can be fully managed by a GP without a specialist.
• A referral letter summarises your history for the specialist.

What a good referral includes

Your symptoms, how long they have lasted, relevant history, current medicines, any test results and the question the GP wants answered. Keep a copy for your records.