How to self-refer

You can refer for any MSK problems involving bones, muscles, nerves, or joints. For any other problems, please visit your GP. If you complete a self-referral that cannot be treated by us, we will contact you to advise where you should be referred.

Self refer if you have been suffering from the problem for over 6 weeks. If your problem is less than 6 weeks old, please check our Self-manage page for help and guidance. If you need urgent treatment and are in serious pain, please visit your GP, an Urgent Treatment Centre or your local A&E department.

• Be aged 16 or over
• Be registered with a GP surgery (excluding North East Hampshire - managed by Circle Integrated Care and the IOW, self-referral option coming soon)
• Have a musculoskeletal (MSK) pain/condition.

Please consult NHS 111 urgently if you have recently or suddenly developed:

• Difficulty passing urine or controlling bladder/bowels
• Numbness or tingling around your back passage or genitals
• Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in both legs

Please discuss with your GP before submitting this referral if you:

• Are feeling generally unwell/fever
• Have any unexplained weight loss
• Have a history of cancer
• Have recently become unsteady on your feet

Please contact 111 if you have any ill health that you think is of an urgent nature and for which you think you need medical assistance.

We manage our patients in order of priority. Our clinicians will review your referral and ensure that it is appropriately prioritised. We will contact you to arrange your appointment, but if you have any concerns please contact the team on the telephone number in specific area self referral page below.

Physiotherapy appointments

Your first physiotherapy appointment will usually be between 30 - 60 minutes long, and 30 minutes for any further follow up appointment.  You may be asked to complete a questionnaire about your pain and general health on arrival before seeing a clinician for your initial assessment. There will be time for you to explain your problem fully before a physical examination takes place.

To be able to assess you it might be necessary to ask you to remove your top or trousers. You might therefore feel more comfortable if you wear (or bring with you) a vest top or shorts. Dependent on the site we often work in cubicles separated by curtains.

You have the right to request a chaperone to be present during your appointment and we would happy to provide this for you if required. Please let us know in advance of any special requirements including disability support. You also have the right to request a male or female clinician if you would prefer. We will ask for your consent before completing our assessment and you have the right to decline any parts of your assessment.

We are able to organise interpreters for a several different languages upon request, dependant on availability. Please let us know that you require one as soon as possible, there is a section on self-referral form where you can declare any special needs or need for an interpreter.

All of our physiotherapists and specialist MSK clinicians are registered members of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). We are actively involved in teaching students and other members of the physiotherapy team. We may ask if you are happy for a student or another member of staff to be present during your appointment or  you may be assessed by a student who is under the guidance of a senior staff member. Please let us know in advance if you do not wish to be assessed by a student.

Following your course of treatment, when you and your physiotherapist agree that you can self-manage your condition, you will be discharged on a Patient Initiated Follow-up process. Alternatively, if further investigation or specialised treatment required, you may be referred to a Clinical Physiotherapy Specialist (CPS) Team after careful evaluation of your case. CPS will assess you and if indicated may complete further investigation or refer you for further treatment. Please be aware that you are very likely to have to wait for some time before being seen by a specialist physiotherapist due to the priority based waiting list and service pressures.

We have split our services into four key geographical areas, which can be accessed based on your GP surgery location. Please click on one of the boxes below to find out helpful information about MSK/physio services in that area and for a link to self-refer.

The MSK self-referral service will be closing outside of our operational hours. Self-referral will be open and available to complete Monday 8:00 am through to Friday 4:00 pm.  The service will also be closed to self-referrals on Bank Holidays.