Self-referral
There are some local health services that you can use without talking to your GP team first. This is known as self-referral. There are a range of community services that you can refer yourself to. These include:
Physiotherapy
The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, offers a self-referral service, which means you can make an appointment to see an NHS physiotherapist without having to see a doctor first.
Self-referral is particularly suitable for people with relatively simple conditions such as joint pain, strains or other injuries.
If you have more complex needs – for example, you have movement problems caused by a stroke or multiple sclerosis (MS) – you may still need a referral from a doctor.
National Diabetes Prevention Programme
Across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, the prevalence of Diabetes is higher than that nationally. As well as Diabetes, we also have a higher prevalence of Gestational Diabetes, this condition leads to higher risk of developing Diabetes.
To help manage the risk of Diabetes and promote a healthy lifestyle, individuals with or have a history of Gestational Diabetes can access the National Diabetes Prevention Programme. This is a 9-month programme focussing on healthy diet, being more active and maintaining a healthy weight. The programme can be accessed via a self-referral (Gestational Diabetes – Preventing Diabetes) or via your GP.
To access this service for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, visit: Diabetes Prevention Programme In Leicester
Podiatry
If you suffer with foot problems and could potentially benefit from seeing a podiatrist, you can complete a form to refer yourself into this services. For more information and to download the referral form click here.
Audiology
Patients new to the Hearing Services may self-refer for a hearing assessment and free, digital, NHS hearing aid/s (If found to be appropriate).
Patients must meet the following criteria to be accepted via self-referral:
- Your ears have been checked and are clear of all wax
- Both your ear drums are intact
- You do not report fluctuating hearing loss, ear pain longer than 7 days or discharge within 90 days
- You do not report unilateral hearing loss and/or unilateral or troublesome tinnitus or tinnitus which is pulsatile in nature.
- You do not report suffering with dizziness (vertigo)
For more information and details on how to self refer into the audiology services provided by Leicester’s Hospitals, click here.
Pharmacy First
The NHS Pharmacy First scheme empowers patients to take control of their health by seeking support from a pharmacist first before making an appointment at their GP practice.
Most pharmacies can help you with seven common conditions without needing a GP appointment. Speak to your pharmacist if you suspect you have:
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
- Earache
- Infected insect bite
- Impetigo
- Shingles
- Urinary tract infection (women)
- or require oral contraception or emergency contraception (women).
The pharmacist will ask you a few questions and if appropriate prescribe medication to treat your condition. You can find out more about local pharmacy services here.
Leicestershire Weight Management Services
The Leicestershire Weight Management service offers a 12 week nutritional lifestyle programme. The programme includes:
- How to change your eating habits to be healthier and reach a healthy weight
- Effective physical activity for weight loss and health
- What is a healthy weight or BMI
- Keeping a lifestyle diary
To find out more, visit: https://www.leicestershirewms.co.uk/
Stop smoking
Quit Ready Leicestershire and Rutland, part of Leicestershire County Council, offers a tailored stop smoking programme that is led by you.
The team of friendly advisors deliver a free and confidential 12-week programme to help you become and stay smoke free. They will be by your side to offer support and advice on your quit journey.
To find out more, visit: https://www.quitready.co.uk/
Live Well Leicester has a friendly team of stop smoking advisors who will work with you to offer all the support and guidance needed to successfully quit smoking. With access to nicotine replacement therapies and e-cigarettes there is a package to suit everyone’s needs.
To find out more, visit: https://livewell.leicester.gov.uk/services/stop-smoking/
Active Together
Active Together aim to make physical activity and sport more accessible and part of peoples everyday lives in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Active together provide tips for ages on how to become more actinide and improve your physical health and mental wellbeing.
One tool on there website is the Get Active Search Engine to help people find local venues, organisations and clubs for everything from aerobics to Zumba.
To find out more, visit: https://www.active-together.org/
Self-referral chest X-ray Pilot
The new Self-Referral Chest X-ray service pilot aims to improve diagnosis and access for patients.
Detecting lung cancer earlier means that patients can receive further specialist tests and timely treatment to help prevent the cancer from spreading or advancing to a higher stage.
The new Self-Referral Chest X-ray service pilot is currently only available to patients registered at GP practices in Coalville,
To find out more, visit: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/chest-x-ray-pilot/.
Mental Health
People living in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, can refer themselves into the following mental health service without needing to see a GP first:
Vita Health Group provide Talking Therapies
If you are experiencing excessive worry, low mood, depression, anxiety or a lack of motivation, you can contact Vita Minds.
Getting support is easy, you can simply self-refer. Talking Therapies is a free and confidentialservice and you don’t need to visit a GP to get started.
For more information and to self-refer visit: https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/nhs-services/nhs-mental-health/leicester-leicestershire-rutland/.
Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes
The Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafés are part of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s local support for people who need immediate help with their mental health. The cafes are drop in centres for anyone to come and talk to us about their mental health – no appointment needed. We have supportive, trained staff who can listen and provide the practical support you need.
Click here for more information about Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/service/neighbourhood-mh-cafes/.
Joy App
Joy is a free health and wellbeing support website to support people living and working in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland (LLR).
Joy helps you to find activities, groups and support offers near you. From walking groups to debt advice, it’s about what matters to you.
Find out more by visiting: www.LLRjoy.com
Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery Support Service (MHWRSS)
This service is open to anyone aged 18+ who is experiencing emotional and mental health problems, as well as their carers. Its goal is to help you to maintain and improve your mental wellbeing, become empowered to achieve your goals, and to live a meaningful life. You don’t need a mental health diagnosis to use this service – it is open to people who would benefit from support offered.
Find out more by visiting: https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/service/mental-health-wellbeing-and-recovery-support-service-mhwrss/
My Self Referral
This service is open to anyone under 18 who is seeking guidance about your mental health in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The website helps under 18s, their parents or carers find the right mental health information and support, including the option to complete a self-referral.
The website details several common mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, leading to further information about that condition, self-help advice and an option to self-refer to specialist organisations.
Find out more by visiting: https://www.myselfreferral-llr.nhs.uk/
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