Advice and Guidance

Practices will be required to use A&G prior to, or instead of, a planned care referral, and to follow locally agreed referral pathways. 

• Advice and Guidance has been used in the NHS for years. It allows GPs to get expert input from specialists before referring – it does not block referrals.
• Clinical decisions remain with GPs, as they always have. If a patient needs a referral, they will get one.
• This is about making sure patients get the most appropriate care, including faster treatment in the community where appropriate – not adding people to long hospital waiting lists unnecessarily.
• Advice and Guidance is helping patients: As of November 2025, over 2.2 million requests have been made in 2025/26, with around 1.1 million patients treated without needing to join hospital waiting lists – meaning quicker care in the right setting.

What are the benefits of Advice and Guidance?

• Advice and Guidance gives patients faster access to specialist expertise without needing to wait for a hospital appointment.
• It helps patients avoid long waiting lists, where a referral isn’t necessary.
• Patients can often receive care closer to home, through their GP or community services.
• It reduces the need for unnecessary hospital visits, saving time and travel.
• Patients benefit from earlier reassurance, advice and treatment, which can reduce anxiety.
• It supports joined-up care, with GPs and specialists working together on the best treatment options for patients.
• It ensures patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
• Overall, Advice and Guidance helps make care quicker, more convenient, and more efficient for patients, while still involving specialist input when needed.