Self Referral
Self Referral Physiotherapy Service-Ran by LPT
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Therapy
Our MSK Physiotherapy Service provides outpatient clinics in community hospitals and health centres across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and aims to help those who are affected by a musculoskeletal disorder of an acute or chronic nature.
Care is primarily delivered on a one-to-one basis with a named physiotherapist and can be delivered via Telephone, Video or Face to Face Consultation. Care may be provided through a class-based format where this is considered to offer greater potential for improvement. In addition to registered staff the delivery of care is also supported by physiotherapy technical instructors.
Referral criteria
If you have pain relating to muscles or joints or have limited function or pain following an injury, physiotherapy may be appropriate.
Criteria exclusion
Unfortunately our service does not treat neurological or respiratory conditions. We are also unable to treat you if you are under 16 years of age or would like to be treated in your own home.
How to access this service
You can self refer into our service by calling us on 0300 300 0046. It helps speed up your registration if you have your NHS Number available. If you do not have your NHS Number you can use this NHS online service to locate it.
For Health Care Professionals; we accept referrals via PRISM, SystmOne E-Referral or email a referral form to us (contact details below).
Our service operates Monday to Friday (please note smaller clinic sites may not operate every day). Opening hours for appointments vary by site and are normally between 8am and 4pm.
What conditions do you cover
We treat a variety of conditions related to pain or movement dysfunction.
Contact info
0300 300 0046
llr.msktherapy@nhs.net
https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/services/referrals/?v=12911
Prescribing of over the counter medicines is changing
Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over the counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns.
Instead, over the counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket in your local community.
The team of health professionals at your local pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns and, if your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they’ll ensure you get the care you need.
Please help the NHS to use resources sensibly.
For further details please visit bit.ly/OTC_meds
We are asking patients to purchase medicines over the counter at their local pharmacy for short-term minor conditions, rather than asking their GPs to supply them on prescription.
Patients are asked to buy medicines for treating conditions such as headaches, cold and flu symptoms, indigestions, head lice, travel sickness, hay fever, diarrhoea, insect bites and stings. Some patients are also asked to purchase low dose vitamin D supplements for prevention of deficiency and some specialised infant formulas.
Your local pharmacists are best placed to help and advise people about suitable treatment for minor conditions.
They are a great source of information, advice and guidance and you can buy your medicines cheaply and easily for minor conditions.
The pharmacist will check the medicine is appropriate for you and your health problem. They will ask questions to ensure there is no reasons why you should not use the medicine.
If you are worried or your symptoms get worse or persist you can still make an appointment at your GP practice.
By visiting your pharmacy you will help to free up valuable GP and nurse time, which can be used to deal with more complex or serious health needs.
For more information visit westleicestershireccg.nhs.uk or nhs.uk and search on Medicines Information.
Changes to prescribing for medicines which you can buy over the counter
From April 2019, GPs are no longer routinely providing prescriptions for medications and treatments which can be bought over the counter at pharmacies and supermarkets.
This means that GPs, nurses and pharmacists will not usually prescribe certain medicines for minor health concerns and patients will be asked to purchase them from pharmacies or supermarkets instead.
The changes follow national recommendations from NHS England to encourage people to self-care and to reduce the amount of money the NHS spends on medicines which are available to buy over the counter.
In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, between April 2017 and March 2018, the NHS spent £4.1m on prescriptions for medicines that can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket. By saving money on items which are readily available, priority can be given to treatments for people with more serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and mental health problems.
These changes apply to
- health conditions which are self-limiting and so do not need treatment, as they will heal or be cured of their own accord
- any minor ailment that is suitable for self-care, which means that medical advice is not normally needed and the person can manage the condition themselves, by purchasing medication directly.
These prescriptions also include other common items
- that can be purchased over the counter, sometimes at a lower cost than that which would be incurred by the NHS
- for which there is little evidence of clinical effectiveness such as probiotics, vitamins and mineral supplements.
People who need medicines to treat a long-term health condition, such as diabetes, or for more complex illnesses, as well as patients on treatments only available on prescription will not be affected by the changes. The changes will also not apply to those who have found that over-the-counter products haven’t helped, or patients who are unable to treat themselves. In all of these cases, prescribers will be able to use their own judgement when deciding whether to issue a prescription.
Dr James Ogle, GP and Clinical Lead for Prescribing at West Leicestershire CCG, said: “The sorts of health conditions these changes apply to include headaches, indigestion, head lice, travel sickness, hay fever, diarrhoea and insect bites and stings.
“Last year the local CCGs carried out a public survey across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, which gave us an understanding of how people would be affected if they had to buy these types of medicines, instead of having them prescribed. Most people told us that they already buy their own medicines to treat minor conditions and are quite willing to do so.
“Community pharmacists are best placed to help and advise you regarding suitable treatments for common ailments. The pharmacist will check the medicine is appropriate for you and your health problem and will ask questions to make sure there is no reason why you should not use the medicine.
“However, if people are still worried after speaking to the pharmacist, or their symptoms get worse or persist, they can of course still make an appointment at their GP practice.”
We know from the public surveys that there are some people who will find it more difficult to self care or to buy over the counter medication. We want to reassure patients that we recognise that a ‘one size fits all’ approach is not always appropriate and they can always talk to their GP if they have concerns for any reason, because GPs will still be able to prescribe in some situations.
We are now providing more information to help people understand their symptoms and build confidence in treating minor illnesses themselves.”
People can access advice on self care at www.westleicestershireccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/you-and-your-medicine/self-care-for-minor-ailments
More information on the changes to prescribing is available at https://www.england.nhs.uk/medicines/over-the-counter-items-which-should-not-routinely-be-prescribed/ or people can speak to their community pharmacist or GP practice.
However if you are worried or your symptoms get worse or persist you can still make an appointment to see your GP.
Have your questions and queries answered Frequently asked Questions (DOCX, 22KB). Or visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Medicinesinfo/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medicines-information/
Antibiotics - When are they needed ?
Please follow the below link to an article from Public Health England on Antibiotic use and self care :
Antibiotic Guardians (PDF, 319KB)
Preventing Falls
Please follow the link below for a leaflet on how to prevent falls and simple exercises to help you stay active and stay steady :
Preventing Falls (PDF, 166KB)
Sexual Health
Chlamydia Screening Kits are available from the integrated sexual health service sites https://www.leicestersexualhealth.nhs.uk/getting-tested-and-clinics/clinics/.
The Sound Doctor
World Class patient education films provided for you by this practice.
The Sound Doctor produces high quality films about a number of medical conditions online.
All the films are short, informative and interesting. They will help you understand more about your condition and how to look after yourself better.
If you or any of your family would like to access this larger film library please use the following log in from your practice:
Go to: www.thesounddoctor.org
Username: foresthouse@practice.com
Password: forest house
That’s all you have to do!
If you go to the main site (www.thesounddoctor.org) and try to access the films you will see there is a cost, but if you use the log in details above, provided by your practice, there is no cost as the practice has provided access for you.
Please do recommend this resource to your friends and family if you think they will benefit from the information. As long as they live in this area they will be eligible for free access too.