Physio Self-Referrals

Self Referral for Sussex MSK Health, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex

What Can I Self Refer For?

You can refer for any MSK problems involving bones, muscles, nerves, or joints as well as persistent pain & rheumatology conditions. 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.

When Should I Self-Refer?

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 Support with New Aches & Pains page for help and guidance. If you need urgent treatment/are in serious pain please visit your GP or an Urgent Treatment Centre / Accident& Emergency department.

How Do I Self Refer?

Please answer the questions below to be directed to the correct online form. Please include as much information as possible about the problem(s). Also include any other medical conditions that may affect you (even if they don't specifically relate to the problem you are referring for).
 

PIFU (Patient Initiated Follow Up)

If you have concerns or worries about the problem you spoke to us about please get in touch. A clinician will review the details and a member of the team will be in touch. We can telephone you or arrange to see you in one of our clinics. Contact us to access your Person Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU).

Watch this short video for more information about what PIFU is and how it works.
 

How to access their website to refer yourself

Use this link - Self Referral

For Littlehampton, Worthing, Southlands Areas

The physiotherapy service accepts self-referrals for a range of musculoskeletal problems.

PLEASE NOTE: The physiotherapy department can no longer accept self-referrals by phone – all patients must complete the form below and submit it by email, post or by hand, or you can ask your GP to make a referral for you.

If you are aged over 18, you can refer yourself to our physiotherapy service with musculoskeletal problems such as:

  • muscle and joint pain,
  • sports injuries,
  • back or neck pain, or
  • sprains and strains.

If you prefer, you can still see your GP and be referred to us in the usual way.

If you are under 18, please speak to your GP and they can refer you to if appropriate.

How to refer yourself to physio

To refer yourself you can download and complete the self-referral form (below)  and email it to one of the following addresses:

Please be aware that email communications with Western Sussex Hospitals are not secure if you are contacting us from outside the Trust’s secure IT environment or from a non-NHS address. The Trust cannot be held responsible for the security of these communications outside the Trust network. Please contact us via another method if you have concerns.

Alternatively, you can post it or deliver it by hand to one of the addresses listed on the form.

You can find out more about this service on the community trust’s website.

What happens once you have contacted Physio?

Once we have your details, we will contact you by telephone and discuss your problem with you. At busy times, this may take up to 10 working days.

At the end of the telephone consultation, we will decide what type of treatment is best for you. This might be:

  • Advice on how to manage your problem
  • Advice and a home exercise programme sent to you by post or email
  • Advice to see your GP if we think the problem is not suitable for physiotherapy
  • Or you may be given an appointment for face-to-face treatment in the physiotherapy department that is most convenient for you.

We hope this service will help people access physiotherapy in a more convenient way, so they can get their treatment started at the right time, and get better more quickly.

Page last reviewed: 27 January 2026
Page created: 09 April 2020