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What is self-referral?

Did you know that there are some free NHS health services you can access without needing an appointment with your GP? This is called self-referral and could help you find the care you need quicker and more easily than going through your surgery.

Self-referral often includes services for:

• Drug and alcohol problems.

• Antenatal care (maternity self-referral).

• 'Talking therapies' services - officially called improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT self-referral).

• Sexual health clinics.

You can register for most of them online. In some cases, you refer yourself by phoning rather than emailing or by completing an online referral form. Just click on the service you're interested in, then search your area for a simple link to the easiest way to access the service.

Waiting times differ between services. Self-referral services usually give some guidance on what to expect.

Self-referral services vary by area though - and they might be provided by a variety of organisations, all approved and commissioned by the NHS.

Find more information and services local to you by visiting the following links. If you can't find the information you need, try searching the NHS website or contact your GP practice.

You can contact the Patient Access team with any questions about the NHS self-referral feature on the Patient Access Support page by clicking the 'Contact Support' button.

• Self-referral to hospital consultant clinics is not available on the NHS. If you feel you need a referral to a hospital speciality, you should contact your GP who will decide whether you are eligible for a referral. If they do, your GP will make the referral.

• The NHS self-referral services below have been included because they are available to most or all patients across the UK.

• Some other community services, including podiatry e physiotherapy, are not available via self-referral on the NHS in some areas of the UK. They have therefore not been included in our list of available services, but they might be available in some places.

An NHS self-referral option has been introduced in a few areas. You can find out whether self-referral for any community service not listed below is available in your area by:

• Asking at your GP practice

• Contacting your local Integrated Care Board if you live in England.

• Exploring local self-referral NHS options on the internet.

Cura prenatale

Counselling and talking therapies

Drug and alcohol support services

Stop smoking services

Sexual health services

There are a variety of other NHS services which allow self-referral but (as mentioned above) these are not available everywhere, such as self-referral for physiotherapy.

In addition to physiotherapy and podiatry, there may also be support for:

• Carers.

• Dementia support.

• Wellbeing services.

• Learning disability.

• Autism services.

• Gender identity services.