Many patients feel locked into a relationship with the first specialist they are assigned. However, the patient-doctor dynamic is a partnership.
If that partnership isn’t working—whether due to communication styles, a lack of progress, or a desire for a different area of expertise—you have the right to request a change.
Changing your hospital consultant in the UK is a standard administrative process and is more common than most people realise. Here is how to navigate the process effectively.
There are many valid reasons to seek a new lead doctor. It is rarely personal; rather, it is about finding the right “fit” for your healthcare journey.
Communication Styles: You may prefer a consultant who is “softer” and more empathetic, or one who is “straighter” and more direct.
Specialist Sub-Expertise: Within a department (like Cardiology or Neurology), different consultants often have specific interests (e.g., a specific type of heart valve or a specific type of migraine).
Geographical Convenience: You may wish to move your care to a consultant at a different hospital closer to home.
Loss of Confidence: If you feel your symptoms are being overlooked or your treatment plan isn’t evolving, a fresh pair of eyes can be beneficial.
Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England have a right to choose which consultant-led team will be in charge of their first outpatient appointment. While the right to change during treatment isn’t an absolute legal “guarantee” like the initial choice, the NHS is committed to patient-centered care. If a relationship has broken down, hospitals almost always facilitate a transfer to ensure patient safety and satisfaction.
Route A: The Consultant’s Secretary (The Fastest Way)
Every consultant has a medical secretary who manages their diary and patient list.
Find the secretary’s phone number or email via the hospital’s website or the switchboard.
State clearly: “I would like to request that my care be transferred to a different consultant within the department.”
Pro Tip: You can research the other consultants in the department beforehand and ask for a specific name who has experience in your particular condition.
Route B: The PALS Team (The Formal Way)
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is designed to help patients navigate hospital systems.
Where to find them: Their office is usually located near the main entrance of the hospital.
How they help: PALS can act as a mediator. They can handle the request for you if you feel uncomfortable speaking directly to the department. They can also explain the hospital’s specific policy on “internal transfers.”
Route C: Your General Practitioner (The Clinical Way)
If you find the hospital bureaucracy difficult, return to your GP.
Explain that you are unhappy with your current specialist.
Your GP can write a new referral letter to a different consultant (either in the same hospital or a different one). This is often viewed as a request for a “Second Opinion.”
A common fear is that the new doctor will “tell” the old doctor, or that it will cause a scene.
You do not owe an explanation: You are not legally required to explain why you want to change. A simple statement of “I would like a fresh perspective” is enough.
Professionalism: Consultants are professionals. They understand that clinical relationships don’t always click. In large teaching hospitals with 10+ consultants per department, these transfers happen weekly.
Data Transfer: Your medical records belong to the hospital, not the individual doctor. When you change consultants, your entire file, scan history, and test results stay with you—you don’t have to start from scratch.
Sometimes, you don’t necessarily want to leave your current consultant forever; you just want another expert to review the plan.
You can ask your current consultant directly for a second opinion.
If they refuse (which is rare), you can use the GP or PALS routes mentioned above.
Note: A second opinion may mean a longer wait, as you are essentially joining a new waiting list.
[ ] Identify the new consultant: Look at the hospital’s “Our Consultants” page to find a specialist who fits your needs.
[ ] Contact the Secretary: Call or email the current or desired consultant’s office.
[ ] Involve PALS: Use them if you face any resistance or feel “stuck.”
[ ] Keep your GP informed: Ensure they know who your new lead doctor is so your prescriptions and letters are sent to the right place.
The bottom line: You are the most important person in the room during a medical appointment. If you don’t feel supported, it is your right—and often your responsibility to your own health—to find a consultant who works for you.
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