Self-Referrals
There are a number of services that you can self-refer to without seeing your doctor. The Notts Help Yourself website also details lots of other available services in Nottinghamshire (www.nottshelpyourself.org.uk/).
Mental Health Support – Adults
- Talking therapies. A free confidential NHS service to help with common mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. They provide a range of different therapies, and can provide help over the phone, in person, or as online courses. Open to anyone aged 18 years or over living in Nottinghamshire. You can self-refer on 0333 188 1060 or complete an online form at https://notts-talk.co.uk/
- Nottinghamshire Mental Health Crisis Line. If you need urgent mental health crisis support, this line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0808 196 3779.
- Cruse Bereavement. For help and support with grief, Cruse Bereavement offers a helpline (0808 808 1677) and a range of resources (www.cruse.org.uk/get-support/), including information about supporting children and young people with grief.
- Gambling help and support. GamCare East Midlands (www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/find-local-support/eastmidlands/) and Gamblers Anonymous (www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/) provide support to those wanting help with gambling.
Mental Health Support – Children and Young People
- Base 51 (www.base51.org/) provide counselling and psychotherapy to young people aged 10-25 years old struggling with a range of issues including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, self-harm and more. You can contact them on 0115 952 5040 or contact reception to book an appointment with our young peoples’ social link worker from Base 51 who offers appointments at The Calverton Practice.
- Kooth. An online mental health platform for children and young people, giving immediate access to a community of peers and a team of experienced counsellors. www.kooth.com/
- Young Minds. A charity providing lots of information and advice to help young people with their mental health. www.youngminds.org.uk
- CASY (Counselling and Support for Young People). Provides a counselling service to young people aged 6-25 years old living in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. https://www.casy.org.uk/
- CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). If you have concerns about a child’s mental or emotional health, parents/carers can refer directly to CAMHS by calling 0808 196 3779 (option 1) or completing an online referral form www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/camhs-parents-and-carers.
Physiotherapy
- Community Musculoskeletal Assessment and Treatment Service (CMATS). You can self-refer for physiotherapy by calling 0115 784 2147 if you are aged 16 years or over (www.connecthealth.co.uk/app/uploads/2023/10/Nottingham-Patient-Guide.pdf). The website includes lots of information and self-help resources about different musculoskeletal problems www.connecthealth.co.uk/resources.
Pregnancy
- Self-refer to the Community Midwives on 0115 883 1862 who will arrange a booking visit with you, usually between 8-10 weeks. Remember that all pregnant women need to take 400mcg of folic acid until they are 12 weeks pregnant, and 10mcg/day of Vitamin D throughout pregnancy. You can buy these from a local pharmacy or supermarket. A small number of women should contact their GP on finding out they are pregnant – this includes those with:
- a family history of a neural tube defect, or a previous child affected by a neural tube defect
- coeliac disease or other malabsorptive bowel condition
- those with diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, or a severe mental illness
- on prescribed medications, as these may need to be stopped or switched to something safer
- a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30
- sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia or thalassaemia trait
Lifestyle and Long-Term Health Conditions
- Change Grow, Live (CGL). Drugs and alcohol service. You can self-refer for help and support if you are concerned about your alcohol intake or drug use. Call 0115 896 0798. www.changegrowlive.org/nottinghamshire/referrals
- Your Health Notts. (Weight loss, Alcohol reduction, Stop Smoking). A Nottinghamshire service to help manage your weight, drink less alcohol and stop smoking. You can self-refer online https://yourhealthnotts.co.uk/ or call 0115 772 2515.
- DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) programme. A free structured education programme for those with a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes to help them self-manage their condition. You can self-refer by calling 01623 484837. www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/desmond-programme-for-type-2-diabetes/
- Core Centre, Calverton. Offers blood pressure checks, chair-based exercise classes, a falls prevention group, and ear wax removal service. www.calvertoncore.org.uk/
Sexual Health, Contraception, and Termination of Pregnancy
- NHS Sexual Health Services. You can access free and confidential help with contraception, emergency contraception and concerns about sexually transmitted infections at one of the Nottingham sexual health clinics. You can self-refer by calling 01159 627 627. See www.nuh.nhs.uk/sexual-health-clinics for more details.
- British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), Termination of Pregnancy. BPAS provides counselling about the options in the event of an unwanted pregnancy, and offers medical and surgical abortions. www.bpas.org/
- Male sterilisation – Nottingham Vasectomy Service. Men living in Nottinghamshire registered with a GP can self-refer and have surgery funded on the NHS. Self-refer on 01623 624137. https://nottinghamvasectomyservice.co.uk/vasectomy-service.html
Social Care and Support
- British Red Cross. You can contact the British Red Cross to hire equipment such as wheelchairs and toilet aids (e.g. commode, toilet frame). You can also contact their support line for advice, emotional and practical support in times of crisis, to help you connect to local services, and for guidance around cost-of-living challenges. 0115 852 8000. www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/support-line
- Age UK. Provides a wide range of local services for older adults and their carers, including befriending services, walking groups and advice about finances/benefits, housing and keeping warm in winter. www.ageuk.org.uk/notts/our-services/
- Adult Community Services. NHS community services for those who are housebound including nursing care, end of life care, continence care, and help with long term conditions. Patients can be referred via their GP or self-refer by calling the Adult Community Hub on 0300 0830 100. www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/adult-community-services.
- Nottinghamshire County Council, Care and Support Assessment. You can arrange a care and support assessment with the council if you need help with washing, dressing, managing toilet needs or nutrition. To arrange an assessment call 0300 500 80 80. www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/adult-social-care/care-and-support-in-nottinghamshire/care-and-support-assessment
- Core Centre, Calverton. Offers Citizens’ Advice appointments, a Job Club, mobile phone and computer help. www.calvertoncore.org.uk/
Children and Young People
- Healthy Families Team. The Healthy Families Team includes health visitors, school nurses and a range of other public health practitioners, supporting children aged 0-19 years old. They can provide information about a range of things including breastfeeding, child feeding, and child development/behaviour concerns. For help and advice you can contact the single point of access advice line 0300 123 5436.
Urgent Care
- Nottingham NHS Urgent Care Centre. A walk-in service that provides assessment and treatment for health problems that are urgent, but not life-threatening. This includes conditions such as burns, minor head injuries, animal bites, suspected fractures and sprains (X-ray service available) and eye infections. Open all year from 7am-7pm. Located at Seaton House, Nottingham, NG2 4LA.