Self-Referral Pathways

The below providers offer a self-referral pathway which will reduce waiting times and often avoids the need for a GP appointment.

 

Adult social care 

Patients and carers can self-refer to adult social care online or by phone on 0300 1234 131

 

Audiology

Hospitals no longer perform Microsuction for hearing aid referrals, you can book with one of these local providers:

⦁ SMP Microsuction/Wax Removal Penzance - 07969 530539
⦁ Claire Roynon – Specialist Audiologist (Bodriggy) - 07969 530539
⦁ Specsavers Hearing Centre -www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing/earwax/earwax-removal

 

Dental issues

Smile Together dental urgent and emergency line: 0333 4050 290
For urgent and emergency dental problems for patients without an NHS dentist and out-of-hours emergencies for NHS patients.

Devon and Cornwall dental helpline: 0333 0063 300 or email devondentalhelpline@nhs.net for help finding an NHS dentist

 

Healthy Cornwall

For smoking cessation, diet advice, and exercise patients can self-refer to Healthy Cornwall online or by phoning (01209) 615600

 

Hearing aid issues

For example, lost hearing aids, not hearing as well, repairs, or moulds.

  • RCHT postal repair service - either advise the patient to:
    • drop their hearing aid at the main reception desk of the Trelawney Wing, in an envelope including name, contact details, and a brief description of the problem.
       
    • Or send via the Post Office (using the signed for service) to ensure adequate postage. Include name, contact details, and a brief description of the problem. Send to The Audiology Workshop, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, TR1 3LJ.
       
  • For urgent queries (ie unable to be without a hearing aid): ring the department on (01872) 253787

 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients

For patients already under the IBD team:

 

Maternity services

Newly-pregnant patients or those who have just moved to the area can self-refer by completing the online maternity contact form.

http://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/services/maternity-services/what-to-do-when-i-first-find-out-im-pregnant/

 

Mental Health 

  • Patients aged 16 years or older can:
    • self-refer to Talking Therapies for counselling by completing the online form or phoning (01208) 871905. This service is also available for patients with a long-term health condition (e.g. COPD, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome) affecting their mood.
    • phone the mental health emergency helpline on 0800 038 5300
  • Patients younger than 19 years can:
    • self-refer to Kooth. 
    • be referred by their parents to the Early Help hub for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), neurodevelopmental assessment, parenting support, and portage.

 

Minor health conditions

Minor Ailments Scheme: patients can self-refer to any pharmacy for the Minor Ailments Scheme, which provides medicines on the NHS for eligible conditions:

  • Cystitis (aged 16 to 65 years)
  • Vaginal thrush
  • Impetigo
  • Insect bites
  • Mild skin conditions e.g. eczema
  • Conjunctivitis (aged 1 to 2 years) (over 2 years treatment is available OTC)
  • Migraine

over-the-counter treatment – patients can see their local pharmacy for treatment minor health conditions (see list below). 
See NHS Cornwall and isles of Scilly – Visit Your Pharmacy.

  • Acne, spots, or pimples
  • Ankle or foot pain
  • Athlete’s foot
  • Back or neck pain (acute) in adults
  • Blister
  • Cold sores
  • Cold symptoms (without cough or fever)
  • Conjunctivitis or sticky eyes
  • Constipation
  • Corns or callous of feet
  • Diarrhoea or tummy bug
  • Dry skin, eczema, or dermatitis
  • Dry, sore, or watery eyes
  • Ear wax of blocked ear in patients aged 5 years or older
  • Earache in patients aged 2 years or older
  • Flu symptoms
  • Hair loss in male patients
  • Hay fever
  • Head lice
  • Headache or migraine
  • Hip pain
  • Indigestion and reflux
  • Infant colic
  • Insect bites or stings
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Muscle pains
  • Nappy rash
  • Oral thrush
  • Piles or haemorrhoids
  • Scratches or grazes
  • Sinusitis
  • Skin rash in patients aged 1 year or older
  • Sleep problems
  • Sore throat and tonsillitis
  • Sprains and strains
  • Teething in babies
  • Threadworms
  • Thrush affecting the mouth
  • Toothache
  • Vaginal thrush
  • Warts and verrucae
  • Wrist, hand, or finger pain

  

The Outside Clinic

Sight and Hearing Tests at Home

Eye test - 0800 60 50 40 Home eye test | OutsideClinic
Hearing Test - 0800 954 9093 Home hearing test | OutsideClinic

  

Oncology patients

 PATIENTS UNDER SECONDARY CARE ALREADY:

  • Patient/healthcare professional advice line (for cancer patients on chemotherapy or immunotherapy)  : 07833 157447 (24 hrs)
     
  • For other treatments contact Lowen Ward via the hospital switchboard 01872 250000

 

Podiatry

Non-diabetic patients with foot issues, e.g. bunions, plantar fasciitis, can self-refer by completing the podiatry referral form.

  

Rheumatology patients

PATIENTS UNDER SECONDARY CARE ALREADY:

  • Rheumatology advice line: 01872 252202 (1pm-3pm Mon-Fri)

  

Sexual health services 

  • SH:24 for postal STI testing (for patients without symptoms) and emergency and routine contraceptive pills for patients older than 16 years.
     
  • Brook sexual health: Patients can phone 0300 3030 714 or email cornwallreferrals@brook.org.uk for:
    • STI testing and treatment.
    • contraception, including long-acting methods and emergency contraception with IUD.
    • pregnancy testing and help with pregnancy choices.
    • HIV support
    • information and advice around all aspects of sexual health and well-being.
       
  • Selected pharmacies offer walk-in emergency contraception. There may be a charge for some.
     
  • C-card scheme – offers free condoms for patients aged 13 to 24 years.

  • Termination of pregnancy- Patients can self-refer to:
    • RCHT Abortion Services on (01872) 226720, 9am- 4pm, Mon-Fri or emailing ciosICB.health@nhs.net. They will then be directed to either RCHT or Marie Stopes in St Austell.
    • MSI Choices (Marie Stopes) in St Austell – patients can self-refer online or by calling 0345 300 8090. Offers termination of pregnancy for later gestation (i.e. after 14 weeks).  

 

Wheelchair 

For patients already issued with a wheelchair:

  • Patients can contact Millbrook Healthcare, phone 03333 218312

Your Pharmacist Can Help

Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals who can easily help with minor illnesses such as coughs and colds, itchy eyes and earache.

If symptoms indicate something that may be more serious, they can signpost you to other NHS services, such as a GP orA&E to the help you need.

With no appointment needed, local pharmacy teams offer a fast and convenient service and if needed can speak to you in the privacy of a consultation room.

So, if you’re experiencing a minor health concern– speak to your local pharmacist to get expert advice straight away.

 

 

Local Pharmacies:

Baden House Pharmacy The Square, Marazion    01736 710206

Boots 3 Alverton Street, Penzance                        01736 362130

Boots 100-102 Market Jew Street, Penzance          01736 361246

Boots 24hr Pharmacy West Cornwall Shopping       01736 756843

Day Lewis Pharmacy St Clare Medical Centre       01736 362110

Day Lewis Pharmacy 42 Fore Street, St Just        01736 788440

Morrab Pharmacy 2 Morrab Road, Penzance         01736 332008

Newlyn Pharmacy 5 The Strand, Newlyn             01736 362324

NHS

NHS website useful links to self-care and wellbeing

Helping you take control of your health and wellbeing.

https://www.nhs.uk/

 

Live Well

Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/

 

Diabetes

Diabetes and You is a free online course for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

https://www.healthycornwall.org.uk/training/diabetes-and-you/

The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme supports adults living with obesity who also have a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension or both, to manage their weight and improve their health

https://www.england.nhs.uk/digital-weight-management/

 

Mental Health

Find information and support for your mental health.

Mental Health Crisis Cornwall | Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (cornwallft.nhs.uk)

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Togetherall

 

Care and Support

If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this website explains your options and where you can get support.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/

 

Health A-Z

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/

LC

Penzance Leisure Centre