GP referral

Same day

• Has symptoms and signs of a more serious illness or condition
• Has a persistent high fever (>38⁰C)
• Has significant difficulty in swallowing
  (dysphagia)
• Has a high risk of complications – immunosuppressed or on treatment for cancer
• Is taking carbimazole, methotrexate or azathioprine.

Less urgent referral

• Not systemically unwell but condition not covered by PGD or not meeting criteria
• Masses/unilateral swellings (possible cancer)
• Persistent mouth ulcer/lesions (possible cancer)
• Recurrent problem or treated in last month
• Has had the sore throat, and is not getting better, for longer than seven days
• Persistent, low grade sore throat for over three weeks; may be unilateral (possible cancer)
• Has had recurrent bouts of throat infection/tonsillitis
• Has hoarseness that has lasted for longer than three weeks.