Self-referral

Pharmacy First Service

Patients can now get treatment for seven common conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.

The Pharmacy First Scheme was launched by the government and NHS England on 31 January 2024 to give patients quick and accessible care and ease pressure on GP services.

But what does it cover and who will benefit? 

What is Pharmacy First?

 Pharmacy First will enable community pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate, to treat seven common health conditions without the need to visit a GP.

What are the seven common conditions?

  • Sinusitis
  • Sore throat
  • Earache
  • Infected insect bite
  • Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection)
  • Shingles
  • Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/01/pharmacy-first-what-you-need-to-know/

Talking therapies

Talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help with common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression.

Impact on Teesside

Impact on Teesside are psychological therapies and wellbeing service working with people across Teesside. If you’re registered with a local GP then our experienced team can help you by providing free, confidential support to help you manage your mental and emotional health.

1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year and sadly, that’s often higher in Teesside. Impact on Teesside offer a range of therapies that can help with stress, anxiety and depression.

The Impact Team offer so much more than psychological therapy support. The team can work with those who have long term health conditions, those who need outreach and recovery support or those who need more general emotional and wellbeing help such as employment support.

Impact Pain and Fatigue Group

Patients can now self-refer to the Impact Pain and Fatigue Group without the need to see a GP.

Drug and Alcohol Services

Self-referral tools for patients struggling with drug and alcohol addictions.  

Stop Smoking Services

Find a stop smoking service near you.

Swap to Stop

Swap to Stop

Physiotherapy self-referral

Please note self-referral is not available for the following cohorts of patients:

  • under 18's
  • patients requiring a home visit
  • self referral for neurological disorders
  • self referral for stroke rehab
  • self referral for respiratory conditions
  • self refer for low back pain

Other Physiotherapy self-referrals can be done online at https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/services/physiotherapy/community-outpatient-physiotherapy-middlesbrough-redcar-and-cleveland/self-referral/

Patients can self refer, by scanning the QR code on this link, ST3349 Patient Self Referral_PHYSIO A4 QR Poster (002).pdf, which will take you to the referral page to submit an online referral  

Patients registered with a GP in Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland can self-refer for physiotherapy by phoning 01642 944682 or 01642 944708 to speak with a member of the admin team.

 

 

Musculoskeletal Service

Musculoskeletal Service (MSK)

Patients can self-refer directly for triage and assessment with the South Tees MSK Service. To do so, patients should visit the website at https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/services/community/musculoskeletal/referral-criteria/msk-self-referral/  to read the referral information first before submitting the referral form.

Paper referral forms are also available for the Tees Musculoskeletal Service, telephone 01642 854664. Telephone lines are open from 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday. The South Tees MSK Service can also be contacted via email at: stees.musculoskeletalservice@nhs.net

 

Wheelchair Services

Patients can now self-refer for assessment into the South Tees Hospitals Wheelchair Service via webform on the South Tees Trust website (https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/services/disablement-services/wheelchair-service/). 

Telephone referrals are not appropriate for this service, and as such patients are encouraged to use the webform which will guide users for taking measurements for wheelchairs.

Patients are able to watch a short video explaining how to make measurements for a wheelchair to aid in getting appropriate equipment to suit each patient's needs. This video is available on the Trust website.

Podiatry

Patients can self-refer into the Community Podiatry Service via email and telephone, information is available at: https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/services/community/podiatry/

Patients should telephone 01642 944746 and ask for a copy of the self-referral form, or email podiatry.clinic@nhs.net

Audiology (Community Age-Related Hearing Loss)

Audiology (Community Age-Related Hearing Loss)

To make a self-referral to audiology services patients will need to refer to their local audiology provider's policy. Information for patients on making a referral can be found below.

Patients should be made aware that self-referral is only available to patients who meet the current criteria for audiology referrals from GPs.

Specsavers

Patients can call or visit stores in person. The patient will then be triaged by staff for eligibility into the service. Patients can call stores at the following locations:

Stockton Specsavers, 49-51 Wellington Square, Stockton-on-Tees, UK, TS18 1RG

Telephone: 01642 602020

Middlesbrough Specsavers, 25/27 Newport Road, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, UK, TS1 1LE Telephone: 01642 222234 

 

Hartlepool Specsavers, Unit 136, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool, Cleveland, UK, TS24 7RD Telephone: 01429 233444

 

Darlington Specsavers, 41 High Row, Darlington, County Durham, UK, DL3 7QW Telephone: 01325 461155

Redcar Specsavers, 57 High Street, Redcar, Cleveland, UK, TS10 3BZTelephone: 01642 491234

Scrivens

Patients can call Scrivens to book an appointment via telephone 0800 0778692. This number will direct patients to the scrivens Customer Services Team who will then direct patients accordingly into the service.

Patients who struggle with telephone contact can email customercare@scrivens.com to self-refer, or visit www.scrivens.com to book an appointment online.

Minor Ops

Patients can self-refer to Minor Ops via telephone and email booking. Patients should call 0191 9178886 or email hearingcare@minor-ops.co.uk

Outside Clinic

Patients can self-refer to the Outside Clinic via telephone booking. Patients should call 0800 954 9093 to be registered, after which they will receive a call from the Audiology Advisor Team to be assessed.

Harbour - working for safer communities

Do you know there's support out there if you're a victim of Domestic Abuse?

 

Bereavement Support

Bereavement counselling may be able to provide you with support during very difficult times:

https://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/bereavement-support

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 Are you worried about gestational diabetes?  The good news is, it's largely preventable through lifestyle changes.