Did you know that for many common health conditions, you do not need to see a GP to get a specialist referral?
In the past, the only way to access services like physiotherapy, mental health support, or maternity care was to book a doctor’s appointment and ask them to refer you. Today, the NHS has opened up a “Direct Route” for many of these services, allowing you to bypass the surgery completely and register yourself for care.
Using self-referral pathways not only gets you on the waiting list faster, but it also frees up GP appointments for patients with complex medical needs.
Here are the key services you can access directly right now:
Physiotherapy and Muscle/Joint Pain
If you are suffering from back pain, neck pain, sprains, or joint stiffness, you do not need a GP’s note to get help. You can refer yourself directly to your local NHS Musculoskeletal (MSK) and Physiotherapy team. They can assess your condition, provide tailored exercises, and arrange further treatment if necessary.
- How to refer: Go to nhs.uk/msk and enter the name of our GP surgery to find the self-referral form for our area.
NHS Talking Therapies (Mental Health)
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, excessive stress, or sleep problems, you can reach out directly to NHS Talking Therapies. You do not need a diagnosed mental health condition to use this service. They offer a range of evidence-based treatments, including counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
- How to refer: Go to nhs.uk/talking-therapies and enter our GP surgery name to be connected to your local team.
- Please note: This is not a crisis service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 111 (Option 2) or 999.
Maternity and Antenatal Care
If you have just found out you are pregnant, congratulations! You do not need to see a GP to confirm your pregnancy or start your antenatal care. You can register directly with your local hospital’s midwifery team, who will arrange your first “booking” appointment and ultrasound scans.
- How to refer: Go to nhs.uk/pregnancy-referral and enter your postcode to find and choose your local maternity service.
Podiatry and Foot Care
If you have an ongoing foot problem, mobility issue, or a condition like diabetes that is affecting your feet, many local NHS podiatry clinics accept direct self-referrals for expert assessment and treatment.
- How to refer: Because podiatry services vary by region, search online for “NHS Podiatry self-referral” alongside your town or county.
How to use these services
By using these direct routes, you are getting the expert care you need faster, while helping us keep GP appointments available for those who need them most. If the specialists review your self-referral and feel you need to see a GP first, they will always let you know.