Getting Physiotherapy Referrals From GPs, Coaches and Gyms
A physio with a few good referrers rarely worries about a quiet diary. GPs, surgeons, sports coaches, personal trainers, podiatrists and gyms all see people who need physiotherapy. They refer to physios they trust and who make them look good to their own patients.
By the Clinidiary team · Updated · 3 min read
Start with the patients you already share
Look at where your current patients come from. Which GPs, surgeons or clubs appear again and again? Those are your first relationships to strengthen.
Write back, every time
A short letter after the first visit (what you found, your plan) and at discharge (the outcome) is the single best thing you can do. Keep it to one page. In Clinidiary, referral letters start from a template with the patient's details filled in, and are sent from the record.
Make it easy to refer
One phone number and a booking link.
Same-week appointments for referred patients when possible.
A clear note of what you treat well.
Show results
Referrers love numbers: "Function improved from 40 to 75 out of 100." See measuring outcomes.
Meet people properly
A short visit to a GP practice, a talk at a sports club, or a free injury session for a running group builds trust faster than brochures. Be useful, not salesy.
Refer back and across
Send patients to good GPs, podiatrists and surgeons when they need them. Referral is a two-way relationship.
Look after it
Thank referrers, keep them informed, and check in once or twice a year. A niche makes all of this easier, because people know exactly who to send. See finding your niche.
Frequently asked questions
How do physiotherapists get GP referrals?
By writing useful letters back, seeing referred patients quickly, and showing good outcomes.
Should physios pay for referrals?
No. Paying for referrals raises ethical and legal problems. Build trust through good care and communication.
What should a physio letter to a GP include?
The findings, the diagnosis or working impression, the plan, and at discharge the outcome, all on one page.
