A consultant from another specialty refers a patient you don't think needs admission. How do you handle it?

Question

Accepted Answer

I would approach any referral — whether from a consultant or a junior doctor — in the same structured and objective way. My role as a registrar is to assess the clinical information, clarify the question being asked, and determine whether the patient requires specialty input based on clinical need. If a consultant calls I would listen carefully and clarify expectations, but the decision to accept or advise would still be based on patient factors rather than seniority. Professional communication is important, and if there is disagreement I would discuss the case constructively and escalate to my own consultant if needed. Ultimately decisions should be patient-centred and consistent regardless of who is making the referral.

Framework checklists