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<p>Direct access and self-referrals allow patients to take control of their healthcare, streamlines access to services and reduces unnecessary burden on general practitioner (GP) appointments. The NHS England ‘2023/24 priorities and operational planning guidance’ was published in December 2022. This set out a key action for systems to expand direct access and self-referral for a range of services where GP involvement is not clinically necessary. By September 2023, systems are asked to put in place self-referral routes to audiology-including hearing aid provision as well as falls response services, musculo-skeletal physiotherapy services, weight management services, community podiatry, and wheelchair and community equipment services. Systems are also expected to put in place direct referral pathways from community optometrists to ophthalmology services for all urgent and elective eye consultations by September 2023.</p> |