How does it work?

1. Prepare your question and records

Explain the decision you need help with in one or two sentences. Summarise symptoms, diagnosis and proposed treatment in date order. Ensure your records are legible and belong to you.

• Discharge summaries, specialist reports and relevant test results.
• Imaging reports and original images, and pathology reports where relevant.
• Current medicines, allergies and previous procedures.

Turn your records into a readable history

The order of your records matters as much as their number. Identify the latest specialist report, the result supporting the diagnosis and any previous treatment summary. Keep results from different dates in order rather than discarding older ones; changes may matter. Prepare a short timeline covering symptoms, initial consultation, diagnosis, treatment and today’s question. For imaging, ask whether original records from the provider are needed rather than phone photographs of a screen. Use only the record-sharing channel specified for your application.

Prioritise questions before your appointment

Choose three main topics to avoid losing your priorities among details. Mark unfamiliar terms in reports and explain whether you want to understand the diagnosis, discuss alternatives or reassess the current plan. If you would like a relative to join, ask about participation arrangements in advance. Tell the team about interpreting, accessibility or consultation-format needs when applying, and clarify arrangements before the appointment.

2. Application and specialist review

In your application, describe your situation and the opinion you are seeking. The information needed and relevant specialty are clarified, and missing records may be requested. Timing, fees and scope must be explained for your application; this guide does not promise a fixed turnaround or outcome.

3. Discuss the opinion with your clinician

Ask which records support the opinion, what remains uncertain and what the next steps are. Share the report with your treating clinician. Further examination, testing or changes to treatment require clinical assessment.

After receiving the report

Read the report alongside your original questions. If something is unanswered, check the channel and scope for follow-up questions. A suggested test does not necessarily mean it must be arranged immediately; discuss its need and timing with your treating clinician. Share the full report and the records used in the review so the recommendations can be considered within your existing care plan.