What is a 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, as well as antenatal care and improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT).
You can register for most of them online. In some cases, you refer yourself by phoning rather than emailing or by completing an online 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.
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 links below. If you can’t find the information you need, try searching the NHS website (The NHS website – NHS (www.nhs.uk)) or contact your GP practice.
Mental Health
Urgent Mental Health Support in East London
Sometimes people can be in a mental health crisis or need urgent support. It may be due to thoughts of harming themselves or others, or suicidal thoughts, or it may be that the symptoms of mental ill health are making it difficult to manage and support is needed very quickly.
For more information, visit Urgent Mental Health Support in East London | East London NHS Foundation Trust.
NHS 111
How NHS 111 online works
NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) is a digital triage service, available in England only. We use the same system (“algorithm”) as the 111 phone service.
It is for people aged 5 and over.
For further information, How NHS 111 online works – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Antenatal care
Antenatal self-referral form
This form is to make a self-referral for pregnancy care at The Royal London, Whipps Cross or Newham Hospitals. To help you decide which site is best for you, visit our ‘having your baby at’ pages.
To help us understand you, please answer these questions as fully as possible. This will ensure that you are booked for the most appropriate care and place of birth.
The form will take around 10 minutes to complete. To translate this form, click on the globe icon at the top right of this page . However if you can, please provide your answers in English. If you need any help filling in this form, please call us on:
- The Royal London Hospital: 0203 594 6979/46980
- Newham Hospital: 0207 363 9434
- Whipps Cross Hospital: 020 8539 5522 extension 5055
Or you can download and complete a paper version of this form and bring it to any of our hospitals.
Your answers will be kept confidential.
Thank you for choosing Barts Health NHS Trust for your antenatal care.
To complete the online form, visit Self-referral form for antenatal care (bartshealth.nhs.uk).
Single Point of Access
SPA has been in operation since 2014 becoming the main point of contact for referrals into the Tower Hamlets Community Health Teams and is the only messaging service for patients needing to contact the District Nurses for a wide range of issues from blocked catheters, dressings change to end of life care.
For further information, visit Single Point of Access | GP Care Group.
RESET Treatment and Recovery Support Service
This form is safe and secure. Your details are protected by encryption. Your information is confidential – we will only share it with professionals outside of Change Grow Live if we think you or someone else is at risk of harm.
To complete this form, visit Reset Treatment and Recovery Service – Tower Hamlets – Referrals (changegrowlive.org).
Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) – Tower Hamlets
What is MECS?
An NHS funded service providing assessment and treatment for eye conditions through your local optometrist. This means that you can be seen by an eye specialist at a time and location that it is convenient for you and reduces the time you have to wait to be treated for a minor eye condition.
To view the full leaflet, visit NHS Minor Eye Conditions – Tower Hamlets (v4) [PDF] (nel-eyecare.com)
Foot Health – Tower Hamlets
The department consists of a small team based at Mile End Hospital, Bethnal Green Health Centre, and Newby Place and provides high-risk specialised podiatric interventions.
For further information, visit Foot Health – Tower Hamlets | East London NHS Foundation Trust.
Community Foot Health (Podiatry)
The service has an eligibility criteria but is available to patients of Tower Hamlets residency.
To get a copy of the form, please visit Form : EA Version – Self Referral Form Sept 2023 v3 (2).docx (live.com).
Stop Smoking
Why quit?
Using tobacco in any form is very harmful to your health. If you smoke tobacco through a cigarette or shisha, you are at increased risk of health problems such as cancer, heart and respiratory disease. Chewing paan/betel nuts can cause oral cancer and have a significant impact on your health.
For further information, visit Stop smoking support (towerhamlets.gov.uk).
LGBTQ+
LGBT Foundation offer a wide range of specialist support services to those who need them.
For further information, visit How we can help you – LGBT Foundation.
Age UK
Age UK East London is an independent local charity. We’ve been working in our communities alongside older people for over 30 years. We have more than 80 dedicated staff and over 100 regular volunteers helping us to deliver services right across East London.
We are a brand partner of Age UK – the national charity formed from the merger of Help the Aged and Age Concern England.
For further information, visit Welcome to Age UK East London.