Referrals from local doctors
Kidney check-ups at Kidney Clinic in Ballito can be arranged when a local doctor refers you to us for assessment and review. We keep the process straightforward, with the clinic doctor reviewing the referral and advising on the next step.
When a local doctor refers you to us
Some patients are sent to us by a GP, clinic doctor or another treating doctor for a kidney check-up in Ballito. This may be for a first renal review, a follow-up assessment, or a second local review while you are staying on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. The referral gives the clinic doctor the background needed to decide what should be arranged next.
Our role on this page is limited to kidney check-ups for local patients. If you are a traveller needing holiday haemodialysis, that is arranged separately with your home renal unit before you arrive. For kidney check-ups, the clinic doctor decides what is appropriate after reading the referral and any supporting notes.
- Referrals are accepted from local treating doctors.
- The referral should explain the reason for the check-up.
- Any treatment decisions stay with the clinic doctor and your usual treating team.
- Urgent or emergency problems must go to the nearest emergency unit.
What the referral should include
A clear referral helps us plan your appointment properly and avoid delays. In most cases, the clinic doctor needs a short summary of your medical history, current concern and recent relevant results. If you have already had kidney-related tests or imaging, send copies where possible rather than a verbal summary only.
If something is missing we may ask for more information before booking, which can take a bit longer in busy periods. Ballito can be especially busy during school holidays and summer visitor peaks, so early paperwork makes things easier.
- Referral letter from the local doctor.
- Short clinical summary and reason for referral.
- Recent blood or urine results if available.
- Any relevant scan or imaging reports if available.
- Current medicine list.
- Your ID and contact details submitted through the contact page enquiry form.
How the referral process works step by step
Once your doctor has decided to refer you, the next step is for you or the referring practice to contact us through the enquiry form on our contact page. We then advise what documents are needed for review. The clinic doctor looks at the referral first before any appointment is confirmed.
Where more detail is needed, we may ask for extra notes or recent results from the referring doctor. After review, we will let you know whether a kidney check-up can be scheduled and what to bring on the day. If your situation needs urgent care, you should not wait for an outpatient booking and must attend the nearest emergency unit.
- Submit an enquiry through the contact page.
- Send the referral letter and supporting documents.
- The clinic doctor reviews the referral.
- We confirm whether a check-up can be arranged.
- You receive appointment and preparation details.
- After the visit, follow-up information goes back to the referring doctor where needed.
What is included in a referred kidney check-up
The exact scope depends on the reason for referral, but a kidney check-up generally includes review of the referral, discussion of your history, review of available test results and an examination by the clinic doctor where appropriate. If further tests are needed the clinic doctor will advise what should be arranged next. This page does not replace individual medical advice, and treatment plans are decided by the clinic doctor together with your usual treating team.
For some patients the main value is clarification of the next step rather than same-day answers to everything. If you are visiting the coast from another town such as Umhlanga, Stanger, Salt Rock or Richards Bay, bring as much recent information as you can so the review is useful from the start.
- Review of the referring doctor letter.
- Discussion of symptoms and medical history.
- Review of recent results you provide.
- Clinical assessment by the clinic doctor.
- General guidance on next steps and follow-up arrangements.
What you need to prepare before your appointment
Please arrive with your documents organised and your current medicine list up to date. If you have paper results, bring the originals or clear copies. If you use a local pharmacy and your medicine names are difficult to remember, ask for a printed list beforehand. During power cuts or network interruptions, having hard copies can save time.
Wear comfortable clothing and allow enough travel time, especially in holiday traffic on the North Coast route. If you are staying near the coast, protect papers from humidity and sea air by keeping them in a sealed folder, odd as it sounds this helps.
- ID or passport.
- Referral letter.
- Recent blood, urine or imaging reports.
- Current medicine list.
- Any previous specialist notes you have available.
- Details for your referring doctor so follow-up can be sent back correctly.
How fees and follow-up are handled
Fees are worked out according to the type of consultation, the complexity of the referral and whether any additional review of records is needed. If there are further tests or outside services required, those are not assumed and would be discussed separately. We do not give blanket pricing on this page because each referral is different.
After your check-up, the clinic doctor may recommend follow-up with your referring doctor, further review with us, or ongoing care with your usual treating team depending on the referral reason. We do not give treatment advice on this page. Any prescriptions, treatment changes or ongoing plans are decided by the clinic doctor and your usual team. If you become acutely unwell after the appointment, go to the nearest emergency unit.
Where appropriate, a summary can be sent back to the referring doctor so your records stay joined up and practical.
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Questions we get asked
Can my GP refer me directly for a kidney check-up?
Yes. A GP or other treating doctor can refer you to us for a kidney check-up. The clinic doctor reviews the referral and supporting information before an appointment is confirmed.
Do I need recent test results before booking?
If you have recent blood, urine or imaging results, please send them with the referral. If more information is needed, we will ask before the appointment is arranged.
Will I get treatment advice on this page or by enquiry message?
No. This page gives the referral process only. Treatment, medicines and any next steps are decided by the clinic doctor together with your usual treating team. Emergencies must go to the nearest emergency unit.
Also worth a look
Ask about holiday sessions
Send a note through our contact form with your travel dates, your home renal unit and where you will stay, and the clinic team will contact you.
Open the contact form