Self-Referrals
If you live in the NHS Lothian area, you may be able to refer yourself directly to some health and support services without needing to see your GP first.
Self-referral is a quick and straightforward way to get access to services such as physiotherapy, podiatry and smoking cessation. Below you will find links to self-referral options available within NHS Lothian. Each link will take you to the relevant service, where you’ll find details about who can use it, how it works and how to complete a referral.
Audiology
If you suffer from hearing loss and already wear a hearing aid issued by your local NHS health board, you are usually able to self-refer into the NHS audiology service. To do this, we recommend contacting your local audiology department directly. Read more information about different referral pathways here.
If you are not an existing hearing aid user and/or would like an audiology assessment for a new problem, please contact your GP so we can make a referral on your behalf.
Diabetes
My Diabetes My Way
My Diabetes My Way is an online resource hub designed for people with diabetes – as well as their family and friends – which provides information and resources about diabetes, including leaflets, videos and online courses. It also contains a list of local resources categorised by health board and allows users to view their latest diabetes clinic results to help manage their condition.
Find out more information on the My Diabetes My Way website.
Physiotherapy
There are two ways to self-refer to NHS Lothian’s musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy service:
- Online electronic self-referral form – You can refer yourself directly by filling in the online MSK physiotherapy self-referral form. Once added to the waiting list, you may receive a message by text or by email from NHS Scotland, usually within 72 hours of processing your referral, confirming that you are on the waiting list.
- Printable self-referral form – Download, print and fill in the printable MSK physiotherapy self-referral form, and deliver or post your completed form to your local physiotherapy department. Paper copies of the self-referral form are also available from your local physiotherapy department or GP surgery.
Please be aware that the physiotherapy service is only able to accept your self-referral if you are aged 16 or above.
Find out more information about accessing the NH Lothian physiotherapy service.
Podiatry
The NHS orthopaedic podiatry service provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment and foot health education for all foot-related conditions, including those that may be related to other health conditions. You can find this service at most local community health centres without having to ask your GP to refer you.
To access your local community podiatry service, please complete the podiatry self-referral form (PDF) and return it:
- by email at loth.podiatrynpreferrals@nhs.scot; or
- by post at Podiatry Department, Slateford Medical Centre, 27 Gorgie Park Close, Edinburgh, EH14 1NQ.
Find out more information about NHS Lothian’s orthopaedic podiatry service.
Stop Smoking
Quit Your Way
Quit Your Way Scotland is an advice and support service run by NHS 24 for anyone trying to stop smoking in Scotland. It offers free information, advice and support, including nicotine replacement therapy.
You can phone and speak to a Quit Your Way Scotland adviser on 0800 84 84 84. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, from 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
Alternatively, you can chat online with a Quit Your Way Scotland advisor from 9:00AM to 5:00PM, or text ‘Quit Your Way’ and your question to 07903 588 669. The SMS service is monitored between 9:00AM and 4:30PM. Please note that your text should include a question.