Primary Care Networks (PCNs)
Self-Referrals
What is a self-referral
Many services can be accessed directly without needing to speak with a GP, saving patients time and creating more GP appointments for other patients. These direct access services (mostly free) include services from the NHS, the local council, and charities. Some government funded support is provided through private organisations such as pharmacists.
As Patient info suggests for self-referrals to NHS services
“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 (patient.info)
Finding a self-referral
Bucks Health Hub holds over 500 self-referrals. You can find any self-referral by finding the relevant topic page using the main menu or search function, explained under
Most pages on Bucks Health Services are split into sections which include “Local Support Self Referral” and “National Support Self Referral”.
Common self-referrals
In the sections below you can find some common self-referrals accessed in Buckinghamshire. At the bottom of the page you can also find out how self-referrals can support a broad (holistic) approach to your health.
Local news on self-referral services
You can find news on new self-referral services under
Some highlighted self-referrals
Includes
- Treatment of some common infections – Pharmacy
- Anxiety and depression – Adults and Children And Young People
- Pregnancy includes “maternity self-referral form”
- Physiotherapy (For Age 16 And Over)
- Hearing Test (For Age 55 And Over)
- Community equipment services (occupational therapy) and wheelchair services – Support In Your Own Home
- Healthy Weight
Common self-referrals used in Buckinghamshire
Below is listed some of the more common self-referrals. These lists are not exhaustive and exclude many important self- referrals which can be found by searching for the relevant topic page on Bucks Health Hub.
Urgent Support
Includes
- Urgent support children and young people
- Urgent support Adults
- A&E departments
- Urgent treatment centres
- Safeguarding children
- Safeguarding adults
If you think you need medical help right now, 111 online can tell you what to do next if you are not sure:
Healthy living
Local support to help develop a healthy lifestyle
- Healthy Weight
- Healthy Eating
- Exercise
- Sleep
- Alcohol and drugs – Adults and Children And Young People
- Smoking
- Reduce your risk of a number of health conditions – with local support where available
Disease prevention
Includes
- Screening – includes diabetic eye, breast, bowel, aortic aneurysm and chlamydia screening
- Vaccinations – includes catch up vaccination clinics for school age children
Wellbeing
General wellbeing for everyone
Mental Health
Includes
- Emergencies – Adults and Children And Young People
- Anxiety and depression – Adults and Children And Young People
- Other mental health conditions – Adults and Children And Young People
- Eating disorders – Adults and Children And Young People
- Learning disabilities – Adults and Children And Young People
- Autism Children And Young People
- Bereavement – Adults and Children And Young People
- Alcohol and drugs – Adults and Children And Young People
- Sleep
Health conditions
Includes
- Physiotherapy (For Age 16 And Over)
- Hearing Test (For Age 55 And Over)
- Pregnancy includes “maternity self-referral form” and much more
- Sexual health including contraception support – Adults and Children and young people
- Unplanned pregnancy including termination of pregnancy Women’s Health
- Long term conditions support – Adults and Children and Young People
- Cancer – Adults and Children and Young People
- Prescriptions and medicine management
Social support
Local support to help with many life issues
Patient groups
Includes
- Social Activities And Support For All Groups
- Supporting Carers
- Supporting Veterans And The Armed Forces
- People With Dementia
- People with a learning disability – Children And Young People and Adults
- LGBT+
- Homeless People
- Gypsy, Roma And Traveller Communities
- Asylum Seekers, Refugees And Migrants
- Crime (Including Domestic Abuse)
- Safeguarding – Adults and Children And Young People
NHS Community services
includes
- Physiotherapy (For Age 16 And Over)
- Podiatry (foot problems) – Adults and Children And Young People
- Community equipment services (occupational therapy) and wheelchair services – Support In Your Own Home
- NHS Community services – adults includes speech and language therapy and more
- NHS Community Services – Children includes health visitors, school nurses, speech and language therapist and more
Other community services
includes
- Pharmacy – includes common infection treatments, BP checks, contraception support and much more
- Optician – can refer people with certain conditions directly to hospital for treatment (e.g., squints, glaucoma and cataracts)
- Dentist
- Palliative care team and end of life support End of life care
Navigating the local health system
Includes
- Urgent Support – Adults and children and young people
- Transport
- Hospital
- Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) – support with navigation across the local health system
Self-referrals can support a broad approach to your health
On occasions a broad (holistic) approach which looks beyond just a medical condition can be helpful. This is illustrated in a number of diagrams for different groups. Just click on links in each diagram to take you to the relevant page
Age groups
Conditions
- Mental Health Adults
- Mental Health Children and Young People
- Long Term Conditions Adults
- Long Term Conditions Children and Young People
Benefits of taking a broad (holistic) approach to health
From the Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Provide a good explanation of holistic care with some real examples Holistic care – The Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Helpful aid holistic-care-infographic_aw.pdf
