Services you can contact without seeing a GP

Mental health and wellbeing

• Somerset Talking Therapies

  Free NHS talking therapies for people aged 16 or over who are registered with a Somerset GP. Helps with depression, anxiety, panic, phobias, OCD, trauma and stress, and with living with a long-term physical health condition.

  How to refer yourself: Fill in the online self-referral form, or call.

  • Call 0300 323 0033
  • Chard and Yeovil team: 01460 238 756
  • Email SPTTReferrals@somersetft.nhs.uk
  • Somerset Talking Therapies website (opens the service's own site)

  Refer yourself online to Somerset Talking Therapies

• Mindline Somerset

  Confidential emotional support for anyone in Somerset who is struggling, stressed, anxious or depressed, or worried about someone else. Open 24 hours a day, every day.

  How to refer yourself: Call any time. You do not need a referral.

  • Call 0800 138 1692 (freephone, 24 hours)
  • Or call 01823 276 892
  • Mindline Somerset website (opens the service's own site)

• NHS 111 – mental health option

  Urgent help if you or someone you care for is in a mental health crisis, 24 hours a day, for all ages.

  How to refer yourself: Call 111 and choose option 2 for mental health.

  • Call 111 (then option 2)
  • NHS 111 – mental health option website (opens the service's own site)

• Kooth

  Free, anonymous online counselling, advice and emotional wellbeing support for children and young people in Somerset.

  How to refer yourself: Sign up on the Kooth website. No referral needed.

  • Kooth website (opens the service's own site)

Pregnancy

• Pregnancy self-referral (Somerset maternity)

  If you are pregnant and plan to give birth at Musgrove Park Hospital, Yeovil District Women's Hospital or at home, you can refer yourself to a Somerset midwife once you are more than 6 weeks pregnant.

  How to refer yourself: Fill in the online form. You will need your NHS number. If you are worried about your pregnancy, contact us straight away.

  • Call 01823 343985 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
  • Pregnancy self-referral (Somerset maternity) website (opens the service's own site)

  Refer yourself online to Pregnancy self-referral (Somerset maternity)

Sexual health and contraception

• SWISH – Somerset sexual health service

  Free, confidential sexual health services: STI testing and treatment, contraception, emergency contraception and free condoms. There is a section for young people.

  How to refer yourself: Book online or call. Walk-in clinics are also available in Taunton and Bridgwater.

  • Call 0300 124 5010
  • SWISH – Somerset sexual health service website (opens the service's own site)

  Refer yourself online to SWISH – Somerset sexual health service

Drugs, alcohol and smoking

• Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service (SDAS)

  Free, confidential support for anyone who wants to make changes to their drinking or drug use, run by Turning Point.

  How to refer yourself: Call the 24-hour line or refer yourself through the Turning Point website.

  Information:

  In Chard: drop in to Forefront Community Centre, 42 Fore Street, Chard TA20 1QA, on Thursdays from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

  • Call 0300 303 8788 (24 hours)

  Refer yourself online to Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service (SDAS)

• Smokefree Somerset

  Free local help to stop smoking or vaping, including support in pregnancy and for families. Community sessions are open to anyone aged 12 or over.

  How to refer yourself: Book an appointment online or call, and the team will contact you to talk through your options.

  • Call 01823 356 222
  • Email smokefree@somerset.gov.uk
  • Smokefree Somerset website (opens the service's own site)

  Refer yourself online to Smokefree Somerset

Carers

• Somerset Carers Service

  Free information, advice and support for unpaid carers aged 18 or over who look after a family member, partner or friend.

  How to refer yourself: Call the freephone advice line, email or visit the website. Please also tell us you are a carer so we can note it on your record.

  • Call 0800 31 68 600 (freephone)
  • Or call 01823 331 222
  • Email carers@somersetrcc.org.uk
  • Somerset Carers Service website (opens the service's own site)

Minor illnesses

• Pharmacy First

  Pharmacists can give advice and, where needed, treatment for some common conditions without a GP appointment, including sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and urinary infections in women.

  How to refer yourself: Go to or call any pharmacy that offers Pharmacy First. You do not need an appointment.

  • Pharmacy First website (opens the service's own site)