Self-care

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.

Leicester’s Hospitals physiotherapy self-referral form

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust self-referral form

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.

The Leicestershire Weight Management service

The service is available to eligible residents in Leicestershire and Rutland. 

The Leicestershire Weight Management service offers you the opportunity to improve your quality of life through healthy lifestyle changes. These are changes that are simple to follow in your day-to-day life and more effective with maintaining a healthy weight.

Support can be provided to you and your family. For more information and to refer into the service for support click here: www.leicestershirewms.co.uk