Referrals
If you are looking to join our outpatient haemodialysis clinic, your own doctor or renal unit will guide the referral process. This page explains the referral section, what information is usually needed, and where to go next.
Joining the clinic starts with a referral
Dialysis Clinic is an outpatient haemodialysis clinic in Bedfordview on the East Rand of Johannesburg. New patients do not book directly for treatment on their own. Admission is arranged through a referral from the patient’s doctor or renal unit, so that the clinical team has the information needed to plan safe scheduled chronic dialysis sessions.
This section is here to help patients and families understand the admin side before the first booking is discussed. It covers how referrals work in general terms and what medical-aid and private patients can expect from the account and approval side. Treatment decisions, session details and any changes to care remain the responsibility of the patient’s own renal team.
What this referrals section will help you with
Patients often want to know who must send documents, when a place can be confirmed, and what happens if funding or paperwork is still being checked. Those are the practical questions this section is meant to answer. It does not replace guidance from the referring doctor or renal unit, but it can help you prepare for the process and avoid delays.
- How referrals work: a general guide to the steps between referral, review and scheduling.
- Medical-aid and private patients: a simple explanation of the funding paths and account queries that may come up.
- Contact route: how to send an enquiry through the contact page if you need admin direction.
If you are not sure which page to read first, start with How referrals work. If your main concern is cover, authorisation or private billing, go straight to Medical-aid and private patients.
What the referring doctor or renal unit usually provides
Before a patient can be considered for scheduled chronic dialysis at the clinic, the referring doctor or renal unit normally sends the relevant clinical and administrative information. This helps the registered renal nurses and supervising nephrologist understand the referral and decide whether the clinic can accommodate the patient within the available shift structure.
The exact documents can differ from one referral to another, but patients are often asked to make sure the following details are available or up to date.
- Referring doctor or renal unit details.
- Patient identification and contact details.
- Relevant medical background linked to the patient’s renal care.
- Current dialysis information as decided by the renal team.
- Medical-aid information where applicable, or private patient billing details.
- Any practical notes that may affect transport planning or shift timing.
If something is missing the clinic may need to wait for the referral pack to be completed before scheduling can move ahead.
Referral routes compared
Most patients joining an outpatient haemodialysis clinic come through one of two routes: a doctor referral or a renal unit referral. Both are acceptable, but the type of information already available can differ a bit.
- Referral from your doctor: often the starting point when your doctor wants to place you at an outpatient clinic and sends the medical summary and request.
- Referral from your renal unit: often useful when ongoing dialysis records and routine treatment information are already held by that unit.
- Medical-aid patient: there may be an additional approval or authorisation step before the booking is confirmed.
- Private patient: account arrangements usually need to be discussed clearly before the first scheduled session.
Neither route is "better" in every case. The most suitable route is usually the one your renal team advises based on your current care arrangements. If there is uncertainty, use the enquiry form on the contact page and the admin team can explain what information is still needed, but they cannot give treatment advice.
How timing and shift availability are handled
Our clinic runs scheduled chronic dialysis sessions in morning, afternoon and evening shifts. A referral does not automatically mean a patient will be placed into a preferred slot straight away, because scheduling depends on clinical suitability, referral completion and current shift availability.
Patients and families should plan for a little back and forth while documents are checked. In some cases the team may need clarification from the referring doctor or renal unit before a place can be offered. Transport planning is also worth thinking about early, especially for Bedfordview traffic at shift-change times and for family members collecting after work. A small delay in paperwork can affect booking dates so its best to keep documents ready.
For urgent or emergency problems, do not wait for an outpatient referral update. Emergencies must go to the nearest emergency unit.
Choose the right next page
This referrals hub is the starting point for the section. From here, pick the page that matches the question you need answered now.
- Go to How referrals work if you want the step-by-step flow from referral through review to possible scheduling.
- Go to Medical-aid and private patients if your main concern is funding, authorisation, account queries or what category you fall under.
- Go to Contact Dialysis Clinic if you need to send an enquiry through the contact form about referral admin.
If you are already preparing for attendance, the pages under Your visit and Guides will help with what to bring, transport planning and general first-session preparation. For any medical question about treatment, access, medicines, fluid limits, diet or changes in condition, speak to your own renal team because they decide on treatment.
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Questions we get asked
Can I book a dialysis session myself?
No. New patients join by referral from their own doctor or renal unit. The clinic reviews the referral information before any scheduling is discussed.
Do you accept medical-aid and private patients?
Yes. Medical-aid and private patients are welcome. The exact admin steps can differ, so see the medical-aid and private patients page for general guidance.
What if I have an urgent medical problem while waiting for referral feedback?
Do not wait for an outpatient update if it is urgent. Emergencies should go to the nearest emergency unit, and your renal team should advise you on treatment matters.
Ask about a referral or a session time
Send a note through our contact form with your name, your referring doctor or renal unit and the shift you prefer, and the clinic team will contact you.
Open the contact form