Self-referral is not appropriate for patients with the following symptoms:
- Unexplained bladder or bowel problems
- Numbness or tingling around back passage or genitals
- Pins and needles or numbness in both arms or both legs
- Pain at night that persists despite changing your position
- Fever or night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unsteady on feet
- On current treatment for Cancer
If you have experienced symptoms 1 and 2, seek urgent medical advice. For any other of these symptoms, please consult your GP for a referral.
Instructions
- You must be 18 years old or over to self-refer to this service.
- You should be seeking help for a musculoskeletal (bone, joint or muscle) problem such as back pain, arthritis or a sprain.
- Referral following orthopaedic surgery must be from the Orthopaedic team.
- You must have a GP registered within North Cumbria area to refer yourself through to this service.
- If you have multiple area of concern please complete separate self-referral forms for each.
Please complete the form as fully as possible; the more information that we are given, the easier it is for us to direct people to the most appropriate service.
iMSK telephone number: 0333 014 2876
Referral form (Word doc)
Pain Relief?
Over the counter painkillers can be helpful. A pharmacist will be able to advise you, if symptoms worsen you may need to contact your GP.
What can I do for myself in the meantime?
Resting for more than a day or so does not help and may prolong pain and disability. You may need to modify your activities, but returning to normal is beneficial to your recovery. Changing your position or activity frequently through the day will help to prevent and reduce stiffness. Try to build up your general activity gradually. Further guidance is available at www.versusarthritis.org and https://www.nhs.uk.
What happens next?
Once received your referral will be reviewed by a physiotherapist and you will be contacted in due course to arrange an appointment.