A referral is helpful but not essential. Most private medical insurers require a GP referral letter for reimbursement; self-paying patients may book directly.
No. The majority of spinal conditions are first managed non-operatively. Surgery is offered only when conservative care has been exhausted or where there is a clear neurological indication.
All correspondence, imaging and records are handled in compliance with UK GDPR and the Caldicott principles. Encrypted patient portals are used for international cases.