Self refer to physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can be particularly beneficial if you are suffering from low back pain, neck pain, recent injuries such as strains and sprains or joint and muscular pain. Physiotherapists can so help men and women suffering with incontinence.

If you think you need to see physiotherapy, please fill out the Physiotherapy Self Referral Form

Unfortunately this service is not available if:

•            you want to see a physiotherapist about a neurological or breathing problem
•            you need a home visit
•            you are under secondary school age (please note if you are under 16 you will need a parent or guardian to come to the assessment with you)
•            if you want physiotherapy following a recent operation you will need a referral from your surgeon

If you have any questions about this please call the surgery on 01228 524477.

Self refer to sexual health services

Sexual Health clinics provide sexual health services for those with or without symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection and contraception including emergency contraception.

All services are confidential; you can attend a clinic without a medical referral anonymously. Any information given will not appear on your medical records without your permission.

Clinics offer a range of services that may include:

•            testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

•            advice about sexual health

•            free condoms

•            contraception, including emergency contraception

•            HIV testing

•            care of people who are HIV positive

•           PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) – medication that can help prevent  people from developing HIV if they’ve been exposed to it

•            hepatitis B vaccination

•            advice about abortion

•            help for people who have been sexually assaultedhttps://www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk/our-services/specialist-services/cumbria-sexual-health/sexual-health-clinics

• By appointment only but drop ins are available for 15yrs old and under - 01228608989

There are three main ways to access help from First Step

1. Via your GP
 

You can ask your GP if they think First Step is right for you. If they agree they will refer you to us by sending a completed referral form.  Once we have received this form, you will need to make contact to arrange an appointment.  If we do not receive a referral form from your GP you will need to complete the online questionnaire or request that a questionnaire be posted out to you.  Going through your GP usually leads to a smoother service because this means that they can decide what help will be most useful and they can also share important information with us in the referral letter ahead of the assessment.

We will then send you a pack of brief questionnaires to help us understand your problems and collect the information we need when we speak to you. One of our practitioners will discuss your problems with you and decide with you what kind of help might be useful.

2. Via online self- referral

This link takes you to a short form that will take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. It will ask about your problems and what you would hope to be different, this helps us to direct you to the most helpful type of treatment.

After you complete the form, you will be asked to complete a ‘captcha’ (internet security measure) to ensure that the referral is from a real person. Once the form is submitted, it will be reviewed by a First Step clinician. After the form has been submitted online please allow 3 working days then ring 0300 123 9122 during normal working hours to book a telephone assessment appointment. Feel free to ask a friend or family member to help you complete the form if you think this might be useful. If you are struggling to complete the form then please speak to your GP and they can also refer you directly.

https://gateway.mayden.co.uk/referral-v2/a3ce2016-e7e3-4b61-90ab-c4996d9f2ce7

3. Via paper self-referral

If you are unable to access the form online and want to refer yourself, you can ring the First Step Hub (0300 123 9122 during normal working hours) and ask for a paper self-referral form to be sent to you in the post. If you find completing forms difficult then we would encourage you ask for help from friends, family or GP staff.

Prescribing of ‘over the counter’ medicines is changing

NHS England held a consultation on some changes to prescribing medication you can buy over the counter.

This medication can be bought over the counter at a pharmacy or supermarket. It is for minor illnesses anyone can treat at home with the right information.

After the consultation, NHS England has asked local NHS organisations, who plan and buy health services, to think about what they should do in their area.

This page will explain the changes that local health organisations need to think about. It explains why they are happening and where you can get more information and support.

Which minor illnesses are included? 

Acute sore throat

Cold sores

Conjunctivitis

Coughs and colds and nasal congestion

Cradle cap

Haemorrhoids

Infant colic

Mild cystitis

Contact dermatitis (allergic rash)

Dandruff

Diarrhoea in adults

Dry eyes / sore tired eyes

Earwax

Sweating too much

Head lice

Indigestion and heartburn

Infrequent migraines

Infrequent constipation

Insect bites and stings

Mild acne

Mild dry skin/sunburn

Mild to moderate hay fever

Minor burns and scalds

Conditions which are not serious but might cause pain or fever. For example sprains, headaches, period pain or back pain.

Mouth ulcers

Nappy rash

Oral thrush

Prevention of tooth decay

Ringworm or athletes foot

Teething or mild toothache

Threadworms

Travel sickness

Warts and verruca’s

Other medicines you can get over the counter from a local pharmacy or supermarket:

Probiotics and some vitamins and minerals will also not be prescribed unless really necessary.

This is because you can and should get these from eating healthily.

Why are these changes happening?

You can buy medicines to treat these illnesses over the counter, from the pharmacy or the supermarket.

When you go to the GP and get these medicines on prescription, it ends up costing the NHS a lot of money.

For these minor illnesses, you can get the same advice from the Pharmacist that you would get from the GP.

By cutting down on these costs, the NHS can use the money it saves on other things, like treatment for cancer or mental health problems.

What are the benefits of going to the pharmacy instead of seeing your GP?

Pharmacists have the training and the skills to help you treat and manage minor illnesses.

You don’t need to book an appointment with a pharmacist; you can just go to a pharmacy and ask for help or advice.

If a pharmacist thinks you need to see a doctor, they will tell you straight away if you need to go to your GP, a walk-in clinic, or to A&E.

What can you do?

You should keep some common medicines in your cupboard.

You can use them when you need to treat minor illnesses at home, without having to book an appointment with your GP.

Some of these medicines are:

A painkiller to treat things like mild pain, discomfort and fever;

Medicines to treat indigestion and constipation;

Medicines to treat colds and hay fever;

Lotions to protect from the sun and to use after you’ve been in the sun;

Some basic first aid products, like plasters, bandages, and antiseptic.

If you have children, you also need to make sure you have medicines and products that are suited to children.

Pharmacists can also explain where you should safely keep these items in your house, and how to use them.

What about patients who need to take medicines for these conditions regularly? Or people in special situations?

Some people will still receive these medicines on prescription.

If this is your case, then your GP, nurse, or clinical pharmacist will speak to you about this.

 The main reasons someone would still get these medicines on prescription are:

 They need this medicine to treat a long term condition, for example painkillers to manage pain from chronic arthritis.

 The patient belongs to a group that should not normally take that medicine, for example if a medicine is not recommended to pregnant women, but the GP advises they should take it.

 The GP considers they cannot treat the illness themselves because of things like mental health problems, or if they are very vulnerable.

What if my symptoms do not improve?

Your pharmacist can tell you for how long your symptoms should last.

If you do not get better after this time or if you start to feel a lot worse, contact your GP or call 111.

Call 999 or go to A&E only for serious or life threatening emergencies.

Where can I find more information?

Ask a pharmacist about advice and treatment for the illnesses we are referring to in this document.

The NHS Website www.nhs.uk also has a lot of information about choosing the right service for you and on how to treat minor illnesses.

You can find out more information about these changes here:  nhs.uk/OTCmedicines

Ask someone for help if you cannot understand or read the information on any of these websites.

If you have any questions visit your pharmacy for advice and treatments for the conditions listed.