THE PATIENT INSIDER — CANADA GUIDE · WAIT TIMES TOOL
Referral Follow Up Script
Use when a referral has stalled, gone missing, or you simply can't get a status update — a script for tracking it down and getting it moving again.
How to use this script
Step 1
Call your referring physician's office first — they can often confirm whether the referral was actually sent and received.
Step 2
If the specialist's office has no record of it, use the second script to request it be resent and confirmed in writing.
Script: confirming with your referring physician's office
confirm-referral-sent.txtSelect all & copy
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME], date of birth [DOB]. I'm calling to confirm the status of a referral Dr. [REFERRING PHYSICIAN] sent for me to [SPECIALIST/CLINIC NAME] regarding [REASON FOR REFERRAL].
The referral should have been sent around [DATE], and I haven't heard anything since. Could you confirm:
1. Was the referral actually sent, and on what date?
2. Which fax number or system was it sent to?
3. Is there a way to confirm the receiving office got it?
If it wasn't received, could it be resent today, and could I get a confirmation once it's gone through?
Script: following up with the specialist's office
specialist-office-followup.txtSelect all & copy
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME]. I'm calling to check on a referral sent by Dr. [REFERRING PHYSICIAN] on [DATE SENT] for [REASON FOR REFERRAL].
I wanted to confirm whether your office has received it, and if so, where I am in the process — whether that's a triage review, waitlist placement, or a booking to be scheduled.
If you don't have it on file, could my doctor's office resend it directly to your attention? And once received, is there a way I can get written confirmation, so I have it for my own records?
Thank you — could I get a reference number or the name of who I spoke with today?
Related
Important: this is a starting template, not medical or legal advice
The Patient Insider is not a healthcare provider, insurer, government agency, lawyer, or patient advocate. This script is a general educational starting point. It does not guarantee a faster appointment, and processes vary by clinic and specialist office.
If this is a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department now. Do not use this page to delay urgent care.