Self-Referral Services and Self-Care Advice

Self-Referral Services and Self-Care advice

This part of our website provides you with lots of information and advice for common conditions. There are many services which you can self-refer to without needing to consult your doctor or nurse. There are also links to self-help information which you can use to treat or manage your condition at home.

Our doctors and nurses have collected these resources and encourage patients to use them. We hope our patients will learn more about their conditions and how to manage them and, where it is possible, to access other services and resources without needing to make an appointment at the surgery.

Community Pharmacist

Many minor illnesses like coughs, colds, back ache, hay fever and other minor illnesses either get better without any intervention or can be self managed using over the counter remedies

Talk to your local pharmacist, click here for more information and to find a local pharmacy

 

Minor Injuries

If you have a minor injury visit Bognor Minor Injuries Unit - Bognor War Memorial Hospital. Details can be found here. 

Social Prescribing Service

Are you:

  • Worried about your housing or financial situation and need information and support on where to start?
  • Feeling lonely or isolated and want to have a greater sense of connection to your community?
  • Needing practical or emotional support, to help you cope in a challenging situation?
  • Interested in finding out about local groups, activities or courses?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, then why not consider speaking to a member of our Chichester Social Prescribing team.

Please visit their website to find out more.

PSA Testing and Prostate Cancer

PSA testing is a blood test that can help diagnose prostate problems however it is not perfect test and the biggest risk for prostate cancer is a family history.

If you are over 50 and do not have urinary symptoms please read this leaflet first and contact the practice if you would like a blood test.

Prostate Cancer PSA testing Information

The leaflet has advice about what to do before the test to reduce a false positive.

If you do have any symptoms please make an appointment to see a clinician.

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Follow this link to our new set of helpful resources for anyone suffering with pain or mobility problems involving their muscles, joints or bones.

There are some great exercise sheets that are recommended by Physiotherapists.

If you are aged over 16, you can refer yourself to a local physiotherapy service with musculoskeletal problems such as

muscle and joint pain,

sports injuries,

back or neck pain, or

sprains and strains.

Visit their website: www.sussexmskhealth.co.uk/self-referral

 

survivor

Survivors’ Network

Survivors’ Network support survivors of sexual violence and abuse in Sussex. They understand that a healing journey starts with a small step and are here to help you.

Survivors’ Network have been providing Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) support to adult survivors of sexual violence across West Sussex for just over a year, expanding on and working in partnership with the existing support for survivors in West Sussex provided by Worth Services, and the therapeutic support provided by Lifecentre.

ISVAs provide practical and emotional support and information to survivors of sexual violence who have reported their experiences to the police or are thinking about doing so. Survivors’ Network also have a specialist Multiple and Complex Needs ISVA who can provide advocacy support on a range of issues to survivors of sexual violence facing additional barriers to accessing support.

More information about the services offered can be found here: https://survivorsnetwork.org.uk/get-help/isva-service/

Survivors can self-referral themselves for support here: https://survivorsnetwork.org.uk/get-help/refer-yourself/

Their excellent website provides lots of information for survivors and those who are supporting them.

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If you are struggling to manage with persistant pain you might find some real help by visiting this website.

My Live Well with Pain is completely free to use resource. It is full of trusted techniques that people with persistent pain have found useful in helping them to get on with their lives and live well with pain.

Click here to visit the website.

sugar

Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are two totally different conditions.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition whereas type 2 diabetes (which is very much more common, and is managed by our nurses in the Practice), can be considered an intolerance to sugar, or insulin resistance.

Click here to visit our new Diabetes Advice page to find out more about the management of this disease.

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The Menopause

We have developed a new section of our website, raising awareness of the symptoms and treatments available. You can visit it here.

Menopausematters is an award winning, independent website providing up-to-date, accurate information about the menopause, menopausal symptoms and treatment options.

 

Here you will find information on what happens leading up to, during and after the menopause, what the consequences can be, what you can do to help and what treatments are available.

sexual health

Are you aged 16 or over? You can now order a free sexual health test kit online. The tests are easy to do and confidential. Simply go to https://www.sexualhealthwestsussex.nhs.uk/ or click on the image. Follow the instructions in the test kit, pop in the post and we will send you your results by text message.
maternity

Call 01903 285269

This service is run by a small group of experienced midwives with a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of maternity care, antenatal, labour and postnatal.

The team is available 7 days a week between 7.30 am – 8.30 pm.

When calling outside these times your call can be transferred to the labour ward where you can speak to a midwife.

physio

This service is provided by the Coastal Musculoskeletal Outpatient dept.

If you are aged over 16, you can refer yourself to their physiotherapy service with musculoskeletal problems such as

  • muscle and joint pain,
  • sports injuries,
  • back or neck pain, or
  • sprains and strains.

Visit their website and download a form.

wscc logo

This service is run by West Sussex County Council. Amongst other things, they will talk with you about your circumstances, or those of the person you are concerned about, and help you find information and advice about services and support in your local community. You can self-refer by using a form on their website.

connect to support logo

This service, run by West Sussex County Council, helps you to get access to all sorts or practical support, to maintain independence and stay safe; e.g. Care Line. Relatives or carers can use the service to organise support if patients cannot do so themselves.

eric logo

Bedwetting (also known as nocturnal enuresis) affects around half a million children and teenagers in the UK. It's an issue families can find very isolating and difficult to talk about openly. It can take a huge toll on family life and affect children's self-esteem and emotional well-being. 

The good news is you don't need to wait until children grow out of bedwetting - treatment is available and recommended from the age of 5 years.

The ERIC (The Children's Bowl and Bladder charity) website has lots of information and practical tips about treating this common childhood condition and ways to make life a little bit easier. 

They also have excellent tips for potty training and many other Bowel and Bladder problems. 

Click to visit the website.

hand

You can self-refer to the Minor Injuries Unit at Bognor Memorial Hospital for conditions including:

  • Acute limb injuries such as fractures, wounds, sprains and strains (excluding potential hip or thigh fractures).
  • Minor head injuries including wounds to head and face (excluding children under 1year and those with associated neck injury, loss of consciousness or any vomiting).
  • Wounds caused by trauma.
  • Foreign bodies in eyes, ear or nose.
  • Rib injuries.
  • Minor back injuries (excluding chronic conditions or major trauma).
  • Insect and animal bites and stings.
  • Burns and scalds.

Telephone the Unit on 01243 865418

dentist

For any emergency dental problems, you can call the Jubilee Dental Centre at St Richards Hospital, Chichester, PO19 6SE

 Tel: 01243 793697

 For non-emergencies you must contact your normal dentist.

111 logo

111 online is a fast and convenient alternative to the 111 phone service and provides an option for people who want to access 111 digitally. 

Your needs will be assessed, and you will be given advice about whether you need to: 

  • Treat yourself at home
  • Go to a Primary Care Centre
  • If you need face to face medical attention you may be asked to attend a Primary Care Centre.

Click here to access NHS 111 online or call 111 to speak to a staff member.

Care Shop Selsey

Selsey Care Shop provides access to the projects run by Selsey Community Forum.

The shop works with local community groups, churches, charities, businesses and statutory organisations to coordinate and deliver a wide range of support for the local community including; housing, debt management and social issues.

Monday to Friday 9am until 4pm. Saturday 9am until 1pm.

121 High Street, Selsey Telephone 01243 201616

Chichester Wellbeing

Chichester Wellbeing Service provides advice and support on how to make small changes to improve your health and wellbeing, including how to stop smoking or drinking, how to become more active, how to make your meals healthier or how do develop a healthy mind.

You can self-refer by downloading a form from the website

sexual health

The Sexual Health Service in West Sussex is managed by Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust. It is free and confidential and available to everyone, regardless of where you live; your age; sexual behaviour or orientation.

You can attend any of their clinics which offer a range of services including:

  • Sexual health and well being
  • Testing for and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Contraception and emergency contraception
  • Free condoms provided
  • HIV/AIDS advice; testing and treatment
  • Psychosexual counselling

To make an appointment complete their online form or call the central booking line on 01903 285199

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Links to information and advice on the NHS Website.

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Links to information and advice on the NHS Website.

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Information for 13-25 year olds.

Covers a range of matters including health, mental health, sexual health, employment, money, housing and homelessness, alcohol and drugs and much more.

They have a helpline 01243 839093.

Click here to see their website for more details

family

"Snotty Kids" Advice and Links to information and guidance on the NHS Website.

drip

Links to information and advice on the NHS Website.

ear

Ear Wax

Click here to download our leaflet about removing excessive ear wax.

There is more information on our Ear Care Page

Some other Common Conditions

Guidance for taking your own swabs

It is possible for you to take swabs at home.

Following discussion with your doctor you may be given one or two swabs with associated labels, forms and bags.

We have created instructions and photographs on this website to show you what to do. Follow the links for the type of swab you have been given.

It is a good idea to read and familiarise yourself with the instructions before starting.

Vaginal Swab Tests

swab pack

A Charcoal Swab Test for thrush and/or BV.

pack

Orange Swab Tests for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.

Pneumococcal Disease - What is it?, Treatments, Who does it affect?, Immunisation programme

Shingles - What is it?,Symptoms, Treatments, Immunisation

Ear Care - how to treat ear wax.

 

Page last reviewed: 16 May 2025
Page created: 14 February 2020