Making referrals: a guide for foundation doctors.

Junior doctors rotate through different specialities as part of their foundation and early speciality training. One responsibility commonly shared by all specialities at all levels is that of making and receiving referrals. According to the General Medical Council's Good Medical Practice, a referral is defined as: 'transferring some or all of the responsibility for the patient's care, usually temporarily and for a particular purpose, such as additional investigation, care or treatment that is outside your competence' (General Medical Council, 2009).