Guide to Self-Referrals
There is a range of health and social care services where patients and carers can self-refer themselves or their relatives. These self-referral pathways exist so patients can get the care and help they need quicker. In almost all cases the provider you see will inform the GP practice of the outcome of your encounter, so your medical records are kept up to date. Below is a range of services you can self-refer to.
This is not an exhaustive list – there are a range of services available to help the people of Greenwich. These are outlined fully in the Greenwich Community Directory. So please use the following link if the below services do not meet your needs – Greenwich Community Directory
Hearing Tests and Hearing Aids – South London NHS Audiology Service
If you are above the age of 18, you can self-refer for hearing tests and have a new hearing aid if indicated. You can be seen in various locations across Southeast London. You can use the service if you have an old hearing aid and want an upgrade or your current one is broken. They also offer home visits.
Self-referral form, telephone number and email in the link below:
Minor Eye Care Services (MECS)
South East London has a range of specialist optometrists that can see patients for new minor eye conditions such as red eyes, eye pain, floaters and watery eyes – see here for more information MECS
This service is not for routine eye checks but for new problematic issues. You can self-refer by simply phoning one of the optometrists in Greenwich in the list below:
Children’s Integrated Therapies – Speech and Language / Physio / Occupational Therapy – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
The Children’s Integrated Therapies Service is made up of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech and Language Therapists who work with Early Years Children, School Age Children and those that attend Special Schools. They see children from age 0 to 19 as long as the child is registered with a Greenwich GP and/or attends a Greenwich School.
There is a self-referral form where you can outline what your concerns are and what help you need. This link describes what the therapy teams do and can offer – Therapies
See link below for the self-referral form: The Children’s Integrated Therapies Service
Podiatry Adults (aged 18 and above) – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
The Greenwich Podiatry Service treats problems with the feet and lower limbs, like ingrowing toe nails. It focuses on the preventative care, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical issues.
Please see the link below on further information on what they can offer and the self -referral process:
Physiotherapy Adults (aged 18 and above) – Circle MSK
Circle MSK (the local musculoskeletal provider) provides a self-referral platform to allow you to access help from a physio for a range of common issues with your joints and muscles.
Please see the link below for more information and the self-referral process:
Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit – Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich
The Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) is a nurse-led service which provides specialist care for women who have, or who have had the following:
- Vaginal bleeding and/or pain in early pregnancy up to 16 weeks
- A loss of liquor before 16 weeks (watery vaginal loss)
- A positive pregnancy test and a scan result showing a pregnancy of unknown location with pain, bleeding or other relevant symptoms
- A previous ectopic pregnancy (at six weeks pregnancy, they can be referred for a scan)
- Recurrent miscarriages
- A previous molar pregnancy, not less than 8 weeks of pregnancy.
Details in the link below on the service and self-referral process:
Maternity Self Referral – Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich
Once you find out you are pregnant, you can self-refer for your first midwife appointment and ongoing care yourself. See the link below for more details and self-referral form. The midwives then will liaise with your GP regarding your ongoing care:
Abortion Services
If you are pregnant and unsure whether or not you want to continue with the pregnancy, call the British Pregnancy Advisory Actionline, MSI Reproductive Choices or National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service (NUPAS). They will be able to support you to discuss your options in a friendly and supportive way, which will help you to make the decision that is right for you.
More information below:
Falls Prevention Service (Adults) – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
The Greenwich Falls Prevention Service is for adults who have fallen or who are at risk of falling. The service offers help and advice to prevent future falls and regain your confidence and independence. They focus on assessment, rehabilitation, and exercise. This is the best way to help reduce falls and fractures.
Details in the link below on the service and self-referral process:
Livewell Greenwich – Social Prescribing
A local organisation supported by the Royal Borough of Greenwich that provides a range of support and signing posting to improve your wellbeing. Whether you are socially isolated, need helping mobilising and exercising, eating better or need help with benefits or housing- they can assist.
Details in the link below on the service and self-referral process:
Drug and Alcohol Misuse Support – Via Greenwich
Via Greenwich provides free and confidential support and advice to those that are worried about their drug or alcohol use. It is a service that is available for those above the age of 18.
Details in the link below on the service and self-referral process:
Quit Smoking Services – Greenwich Health GP Federation
Greenwich Health provides free and expert help to assist individuals to stop smoking including prescribing of nicotine replacement.
Details in the link below on the service and self-referral process:
Greenwich Sexual Health – Sexual Health and Contraception Services – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Greenwich Sexual health provides a range of services, from planned clinics, to walk-in clinics to home testing for sexually transmitted infections including HIV testing, contraception and free condoms
Details in the link below on the service and self-referral process:
Weight Loss Help for Children – Xplore
Xplore is a healthy lifestyle programme that provides a friendly, fun and safe environment to help children, young people and their families lead healthier lifestyles and become more active.
The programme is aimed at children and young people (4-19 years) who:
- Live in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and/ or
- Registered with a Royal Borough of Greenwich GP and/ or
- Attend a Royal Borough of Greenwich school, sixth form college or institutes of further education
AND
- Have a BMI≥ 91st centile (calculate this using the NHS BMI calculator here)
- Have no complex needs
Details in the link below on the service and self-referral process:
Greenwich Time to Talk (Adults) – NHS Talking Therapies / Cognitive Behavioural Therapies – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
There are times when everyone feels stressed or unhappy. Generally, these bad times pass, but sometimes there are problems that do not go away and things get harder and harder. One in four people can feel this way at some point in their life.
Talking about your problems can really help. Time to Talk is part of a national programme called NHS Talking Therapies. It is for people with mild problems of anxiety or depression who are motivated to work to change the problem.
More information and self-referral link below:
Greenwich Time to Talk for Young People (16 and 17 year olds) – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Greenwich Time to Talk for Young People provides talking therapies for 16 and 17 year olds who have been experiencing low mood and/or anxiety (stress) and who would like help to overcome these feelings. Oxleas work with young people from all backgrounds and respect differences in race, gender, sexuality and culture.
For more information and self-referral information – link below:
Mental Health Crisis Line – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
The Crisis Line is a 24-hour telephone service for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich who are experiencing a mental health crisis or supporting someone experiencing a crisis.
They have a dedicated team of mental health practitioners and call handlers. They provide a telephone-based service that allows you to talk about your mental health crisis.
Contact details in the following link – Mental Health Crisis Number
Bereavement Support – Cruse UK
A National charity that supports people going through the difficult period of bereavement
More details and self-referral process below:
Pet Bereavement and Pet Loss – Blue Cross
Lives are transformed by the love and companionship pets bring. So, saying goodbye to one – whether due to death or separation – is always sad, difficult and often traumatic. It affects people in many ways.
But, remember, you are not alone. If you are grieving for a pet, or facing loss, the free andconfidential Pet Loss Support service is here for you by phone, email or webchat.
More details below –
Social Services – Royal Borough of Greenwich
The Royal Borough of Greenwich provides a range of services (support packages, assistance, rehabilitation and occupational therapy) for adults and children. See below for further information and contact details:
Domestic Violence Support
Domestic Violence can feel a very lonely position to be in and it can be difficult to see a way forward, but there are various support services that can give free and confidential advice and help. This is on top of speaking to your GP or the police. See more details below-
Carers Support – Greenwich Carers Centre
Greenwich Carers is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of unpaid carers in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and beyond. They are based at the Greenwich Carers Centre in Charlton Village SE7.
They have a team of advisors who can support you to get the best for the person you care for and for yourself. More information and the contact details are in the below link:
Continence Advisory Service (Adults) – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
The Continence Advisory Service provides advice, support and treatment to patients with bladder and bowel dysfunctions. These include urinary stress, overflow and urgency problems, constipation and diarrhoea. The service also provides continence equipment and products to individuals who need them. Contact details and self-referral information is in the below link:
Continence Drop-in Clinic (Under 5s) Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
The Greenwich and Bexley paediatric continence and enuresis clinic provides free advice and help to children under 5 suffering from bed wetting or other urinary issues. If other medical conditions or over 5, it is best to see a GP for a formal assessment and referral.
More details below-
Greenwich and Bexley paediatric continence and enuresis clinic
Health Visitors – Greenwich 0-4 Health Visiting Service (Bromley Healthcare Community First – Including Breastfeeding Support
The Greenwich 0 to 4 service is for parents and carers of babies and children from birth until just before they start school. The service supports parents and carers to give their babies, children and young people the best possible start in life. They provide 5 mandated checks starting with an antenatal contact; they also offer support and evidence-based advice about your child’s development and growth, healthy eating, physical activity, emotional wellbeing and immunisations. More information and contact details are in the below link:
Cancer Screening (Bowel, Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening) – NHS London
London
If you are not sure you are eligible, want more information or want to chase your appointment. Please contact the various links below. NB- Cervical screening – although the invite is sent by a central team, the actual smear will be done by the GP practice so please contact the practice for that query.