Self Help and Referral Information

NHS 111

Get help for your symptoms – NHS 111

NHS UK

Find information and services to help you manage your health

NHS website for England – NHS

Have you been referred to hospital?

You can check the status of most referrals in the NHS app or on NHS.uk

You can also enquire directly with the hospital on one of the following numbers:

If you are unable to find any details regarding your referral/appointment, then let us know through anima.

Waiting Times for Hospital

You can view average waiting times with any hospital using the following link:

My Planned Care

For audiology:

Hearing Services (Audiology) – Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals

ADHD and Autism – NHS

For information regarding the local NHS provided ADHD & Autism service, please visit the following:

Neurodevelopmental Specialist Service (NeSS) | Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Please note, here is currently a 4 year wait for assessments of Adult ADHD in the NHS.

For children, the age for referrals is 2+ for Autism and 6+ for ADHD. It you wish to pursue an NHS referral for your child then please contact your child’s school or Health Visitor.

ADHD and Autism – Right to Choose

Under NHS rules, if your GP agrees that an ADHD & Autism assessment is appropriate, you can ask to be referred to any provider in England that offers NHS-funded services, even if they’re outside your local area or operate online. This is especially helpful given long waiting times in some regions.

How to use Right To Choose:

  1. Complete a Self-Referral Questionnaire
    Visit Right to Choose – ADHD UK to view available providers. Most offer downloadable forms to help you prepare for your GP appointment.
  2. Visit Your GP
    Bring your completed form and discuss your symptoms, history, and how ADHD affects your life. Your GP must agree that an assessment is clinically appropriate.
  3. Request a Specific Provider
    Ask to be referred to your chosen provider under the Right to Choose. Your GP should complete the referral and send it directly or give it to you to forward.
  4. Follow Up
    Some providers confirm receipt with your GP, but not always with you directly. If you haven’t heard back, check with your GP or the provider.

Self-Referral Services

There are a number of services across Nottingham & Nottinghamshire that you can refer yourself to without seeing a clinician.

Many of the services can be accessed by patients, parents and carers without a referral from a GP. By self-referring you are helping us to prioritise appointments for issues that do need a GP. The availability of self-referral services varies across the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire area.

This page lists the details of self-referral services and support available. We are currently working on developing the number of services across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire that you can self-refer into and the processes to self-refer. Click on the type of service you’re interested in to find out more about the service, if you meet the eligibility criteria and how you can self-refer.

Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Self-referral Services – NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB

Weight Management Services

The following services are for help with weight loss:

Your health, Your Way – Weight Loss – Your Health Nottinghamshire

NHS Better Health – Lose weight – Better Health – NHS

Services with access to weight loss medications:

Oviva – Medical weight loss – covered by the NHS | Sign up with Oviva

For more information regarding weight loss injections:

Weight-loss injections – NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB

Private Referrals

When is a GP referral needed for private treatment?

Private medical insurance:

Many private insurance policies require a GP referral for specialist consultations and treatments. 

Consultant preference:

Some private consultants may only see patients who have been referred by a GP. 

Clinical advice:

Your GP can assess your condition, advise on whether a referral is necessary, and recommend the most appropriate specialist. 

When is a GP referral not needed?

Self-referral:

You can directly contact a private specialist without a GP referral in many cases. 

Direct access services:

Some private healthcare providers offer direct access to specialists for certain conditions.

What happens if you get a GP referral for private treatment?

1. Consultation with your GP:

You’ll need a routine appointment to discuss your symptoms and the need for specialist assessment. 

2. Referral letter:

Your GP will write a referral letter to the chosen specialist, including relevant medical information. 

3. Contacting the specialist:

You’ll then contact the specialist’s office to book an appointment. 

Smoking Support

Please visit the link below for more information on the self-referral process for quitting smoking.

Quit Smoking – Your Health Nottinghamshire

Vasectomy

Please visit the link below for more information on the self-referral process for vasectomy.

Vasectomy – Nottingham Road Clinic

Page last reviewed: 3 September 2025