Self Help and Self Referrals
You can contact the services on this page yourself. You do not need to see a GP first. For advice on symptoms and conditions, see the NHS Health A to Z.
On this page:
Your Local Pharmacy
Common Conditions (Pharmacy First)
Through Pharmacy First, pharmacists can assess and treat seven common conditions without a GP appointment, including supplying some medicines that would otherwise need a prescription:
- earache (aged 1 to 17)
- impetigo (aged 1 and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 and over)
- shingles (aged 18 and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 and over)
- sore throat (aged 5 and over)
- urinary tract infections (women aged 16 to 64)
Find a pharmacy | How pharmacies can help (NHS website)
Contraceptive Pill
Many pharmacies can start, restart or continue the contraceptive pill without a prescription from a GP. It is free.
Find a pharmacy offering the contraceptive pill without a prescription
Mental Health and Lifestyle
Drugs and Alcohol
Free, confidential support with drug or alcohol use. Adults aged 25 and over can refer themselves online; there is a separate service for young people under 25.
Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Network West Sussex (Change Grow Live)
Healthy Weight and Wellbeing
Weight loss workshops, healthy eating, activity programmes and free blood pressure checks.
Chichester Wellbeing
Mental Health
Immediate action required: Important information
Adults can refer themselves to West Sussex Talking Therapies, and children and young people can get help through the West Sussex Single Point of Access. Contact details for these and other mental health services are on our Mental Health page.
Social Prescribing
Help with non-medical challenges that affect your health and wellbeing, by linking you with local groups, activities and support services. You can refer yourself online, or call 01243 521041 if you need help with the form.
Chichester social prescribing
Stopping Smoking
Free support to stop smoking for 12 weeks, face to face or by phone. Call 0330 222 7980 or refer yourself online.
Stop smoking services in West Sussex
Physical and Sexual Health
Hearing
How to get a hearing test (NHS website)
Muscles, Joints and Back
You can refer yourself for physiotherapy and other musculoskeletal (MSK) care for problems with bones, muscles, joints or nerves that have lasted more than 6 weeks.
Sussex MSK Health self-referral
Sexual Health
STI testing (online or in clinic), contraception and sexual health advice. You do not need a GP referral. Booking line: 01903 285199.
Sexual Health West Sussex
Pregnancy and Children
ADHD and Autism Assessment for Children
For how to ask for an ADHD or autism assessment for your child, and our letter for parents and guardians, see ADHD and autism assessments for children on our Hospital and Specialist Referrals page.
Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
For emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children and young people, including how to refer to the West Sussex Single Point of Access, see Children and Young People on our Mental Health page.
Pregnancy
Once you know you are pregnant, you can refer yourself to the maternity team. You do not need to see a GP first.
Book your maternity care (University Hospitals Sussex, including St Richard’s Hospital)
Refer yourself for NHS pregnancy care (NHS website)
Medicines We Do Not Prescribe
Our GPs do not prescribe sedatives such as diazepam for fear of flying, dental treatment or scans. Find out why and who can help
