Self Referral

Urgent Eye Care Service (CUES)

Due to Covid-19, a new eye service has been set up in Leeds to increase access to care for urgent eye problems. The service is free to access and is provided by optometrists in Leeds. It is for all patients and you can self refer. The CUES service is delivered over the phone or a video call. For more complex or severe cases, face-to- face appointments will be offered in the community or Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.


You can self refer if you have an urgent eye problem, like:
• a red eye
• sore / painful eye
• flashes or floaters – this could be small dark spots, squiggly lines, rings or cobwebs
• a sudden change in vision, or
• foreign bodies – an object in your eye that shouldn’t be there, this could be a speck of dust, a wood chip, a metal shaving, an insect or a piece of glass.

Visit the Primary Eyecare website www.primaryeyecare.co.uk/find-a-practice to find a local optician taking part in CUES, or contact your optician.

When your optician or GP is closed you can call NHS 111, you can access NHS 111 online by visiting www.111.nhs.uk


For further information about CUES, visit www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/CUES

Pharmacy First

Pharmacists are trained to be able to advise you on a range of common conditions, making it easier and quicker for you to get help without waiting for an appointment with the GP.

How it works

Simply walk into your local pharmacist and ask for some advice.

The treatment for most common conditions is about doing the right things for yourself. However if medication is needed then the pharmacist will make the appropriate recommendation, which will be free for those who are exempt from prescription charges.

Also remember that many pharmacies are open at weekends and evenings

Sort of conditions a pharmacist can help with

  • Cough
  • Common cold
  • Earache
  • Sore throat
  • Threadworms
  • Teething
  • Athlete’s foot
  • Thrush
  • Hay fever
  • Fever
  • Blocked nose
  • Sprain or strain
  • Head lice

Minor Injury Clinic

Use your local minor injuries unit if you need medical treatment or advice which does not need a visit to A&E or a medical appointment.

Some examples of problems they deal with:

  • Cuts
  • Bites
  • Stings
  • Muscle or joint injuries
  • Sprains

No referral or appointment needed, just go to your closest one:

Wharfedale Minor Injuries Unit

Newall Carr Road
Otley
LS21 2LY

Telephone: 0113 392 1647
Opening Times: 8am – 11pm everyday except Friday 8am – 9.30pm (including bank holidays, closed Christmas Day).

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is not the victims fault

Non-urgent advice: Domestic violence is not the victims fault

You are not to blame and you are not alone.

There are many others in your situation and help is available.

Non-urgent advice: Getting help

Leeds Domestic Violence Service

24 hour helpline: 0113 2460401

Website: Leeds Domestic Violence Service

More information

Leeds city council domestic violence website is an excellent resource for finding help.

Alcohol and Drug Services

Do I need help?

Take the test and find out.

This is an excellent online tool which helps you work out if you’re at risk of alcohol-related problems and some simple things you can do to reduce the risk.

Alcohol Test

Paper format of alcohol test

Get help

Forward Leeds

You can speak to us at the practice, or you can self refer to the service we work with called Forward Leeds.

Forward Leeds has a wide range of services that support young people, adults and families in Leeds with alcohol and/or drug use.

List of Forward Leeds services

Forward Leeds

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous is a national network of free self-help groups aimed at helping people recover from alcoholism. Some people find them very useful and our Doctors often recommend them.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Bereavement

Online

For general advice about bereavement you might find the NHS choices article on bereavement useful.

If you are looking for advice about dealing with the practical aspects (such as legal issues) of someone dying then try the Bereavement Advice Centre.

The Leeds Bereavement Forum collates allot of information on the services available in Leeds.

In person

There are also several organisations and charities that provide specialist advice and support to those that have been bereaved:

Carers

Non-urgent advice: Who is a carer

A carer is a person of any age (including children) who provides unpaid support to a partner, relative, friend or neighbour who couldn’t get by without their help. This could be due to old age, frailty, disability, a serious health condition, mental ill health or substance misuse. Parents of children who are disabled or who have a serious health condition are also considered to be carers.

What we offer carers

  • Flu vaccination – most carers are eligible for a free flu vaccination to protect themselves and the person they care for
  • Regular health check appointments to help you keep fit and well
  • More flexible appointments
  • Referrals to carers’ services for more specialised information, advice and support

Dedicated Carer Service

Being a Carer can be hard work and there are excellent local services to help.

A good place to start is Carers Leeds

Carers Leeds

Child Health

Non-urgent advice: Health Visitors

In Leeds the name of the Health Visiting team has changed to 0 to 19 Public Health Integrated Nursing

0 to 19 Public Health Integrated Nursing

The 0 to 19 Public Health Integrated Nursing Team are all trained nurses who have extra training and qualifications in child health. They are a fantastic source of information about child development, parenting strategies, breastfeeding, bed wetting, bullying, emotional health, nutrition and child safety.

0 to 19 Public Health Integrated Nursing

Non-urgent advice: Childhood Immunisations

Immunisations are given by our practice nurses in accordance with the NHS vaccine schedule.

Further information on the schedule and vaccines in general can be found on NHS choices vaccinations.

Maternity Services

Non-urgent advice: Making an appointment with the Midwife

If you are pregnant you do not need to see the Dr in order to have your first appointment with the midwife.

You can arrange a booking appointment via the reception desk. This first appointment should be at about 9 weeks of pregnancy.

Due date calculator

Non-urgent advice: Maternity care

The Midwife will help you to prepare for motherhood and promote good health for yourself and your baby by advising on the effects of drinking, smoking and good diet whilst you are pregnant.

The midwife guides you through your pregnancy and endeavours to detect any problems and make relevant referrals if necessary.

The Midwife will discuss your options for delivery, arrange appropriate referrals and provide you with dietary advice.

She will also take blood tests and will subsequently discuss the results with you.

Whilst you are pregnant and until your baby is one year old you are entitled to free prescriptions and dental treatment. The Midwife will organise for an exemption certificate to be signed and sent off.

During The Pregnancy

Your maternity book lists when you will be seen by the Midwife, Doctor and hospital through your pregnancy. Should you have any concerns at any other time you can contact your midwife or, if she is not available, make an appointment to see a Doctor during normal surgery hours.

At some point during the course of your pregnancy the Health Visitor will meet you to talk to you about her role in your care and about the childhood vaccination programme.

After Your Birth

After delivery your Midwife will visit you at home to help you and your baby. Following the birth she will visit you on your first day at home. When your baby is five days old she will carry out the Guthrie test (which is a special screening test that the Midwife will give you information about) and at ten days old she will discharge yourself and your baby from her care. Extra visits may be arranged according to need.

Your Health Visitor will visit you at home when your baby is between 10 and 14 days old and can advise on feeding, weaning and any family issues you may have.

About 6 weeks after your birth you should make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss contraception and any concerns you have about your own health.

Non-urgent advice: Breast Feeding

It takes time for you and your baby to learn how to breastfeed.

The NHS Choices page on breast feeding might be useful.

Your midwife can also offer support and advice.

There are also a number of national services offering local support groups, which can be accessed via their websites:

Babycafe

Association of Breast Feeding Mothers

La Leche League GB

Breastfeeding Network

Advocacy Services

Advocacy means helping another person to communicate their views and wishes.

 

GPs often act as advocates for patients when dealing with issues in hospital or by making sure that their patients’ and/or families’ voices are heard when a decision is needed about their care.

Advocacy involves looking at choices together and helping patients to make decisions. It may be writing a letter of support or communicating on behalf of the patient.

When advocates who are not part of social services or the NHS are needed, they can be found in Leeds at: