Hi guys,
My GP referred me to a specialist so I looked him up but he has a ridiculous amount of negative reviews which made me want to see a different specialist instead. Can I see a different specialist with the referral letter given by my GP written for someone else or do I have to go back to my GP to ask to see a different specialist?
Why are you trusting reviews from random idiots and marketers over the advice of your doctor?
You usually can. The referral is typically just a letter to show you're not wasting the specialist's time, and also to get a provider number from the referring doctor so that you can get some form of medicare rebate.
Should not be an issue.
Double check that the GP has supplied/will supply your preferred specialist any notes and documentation that they will need to understand your situation if it hasn't been provided to you directly.
Yes you can no problem
When i have been in a similar situation (but due to timing issues) i called​ the gp, and the receptionist got the doctor to write referral to a different specialist. Just had to pick up the letter from reception.
Most referral letters are addressed to specific specialist. As such you'll need another referral for the specialist of your choice. (I've yet to meet a GP that is willing to write a "to whom it may concern" referral letter.)
Referrals are typically specialised for a given practice or, further still, practitioner. Especially so, if your GP is forwarding case notes to said specialist since A) he will already have them, and B) they are often formatted specifically for that practise to meet their guidelines.