You can book to see an experienced physiotherapists to diagnose a musculoskeletal or joint problem you have – as an alternative to seeing a GP. They can not only diagnose your condition, but offer advice on how to best manage it, and refer you on for imaging or specialist support, if this is needed.

Guys and St Thomas physiotherapy services recommend using the GetUBetter app to get personalised support with exercise to help your musculoskeletal problem.

Download the getUBetter app

If you know that you need ongoing support from a physiotherapist, or have been advised by your GP, the First Contact Physiotherapist or a consultant that you need to see a physiotherapist to support you with your condition, then you can self refer to local physiotherapy services.

Self-refer for physiotherapy here

At its most basic, a social prescription offers the kind of help that doesn’t come in a tube or bottle (non medical).

Instead, a social prescribing link worker creates your own social prescription to provide you with support, help and information that will enable you to access services or activities that will improve your health, wellbeing and overall enjoyment in life.

Social prescribing link workers can offer support and signposting for a variety of non-clinical interventions such as:

• people struggling to adapt or cope with chronic conditions that can’t be addressed by clinical consultation
• mental health and emotional wellbeing
• relationship difficulties
• domestic abuse
• loneliness and isolation
• low self esteem
• poor housing
• financial issues, including benefits
• carers
• bereavement
• health goals e.g. weight management, healthy eating, stop smoking, physical activity

Judith Centeno
Social Prescribing Link Worker

Practice: Streatham Common Group Practice; The Exchange Surgery

About Judith Centeno

Other languages spoken: English, Spanish and Catalan

I was born in Nicaragua, coming from a tropical country I have experienced different natural disasters and I remember the war when I was child.

I have studied a degree in business back home, but my first job was in an NGO that stands for children in social exclusion, was there when I realised that I didn’t want to work in my career. I was working as accountant.

Therefore I decided to change the course of my career, when I moved to Spain I studied a post degree in humanitarian aid, also done some voluntary work with women who were disadvantaged and vulnerable.

In the UK, I have worked for many years in the care industry but I felt that something was missing until I heard of social prescribing. This is a great opportunity to through my job improve the living conditions of many people, having the right information, the right resources and good connections and relationships in the community.

In my role as social prescriber link worker I have different situations, you can meet people with different backgrounds, age, ethnicity, religion. I find that very enriching and challenging, can feel like a personal assistant for every single case as you need to focus in every detail.

Hoping to be of help for the patients and learn from them too.

Visit the MYCommunity Directory

We provide Health and Wellbeing Coaching Service for our patients, with support from Know Your Own Health. If you are struggling to manage your health condition, or going through a difficult time that is impacting on your health, then this service could help support you to make changes.

You will be offered 6 individual 1:1 sessions with a trained Health Coach. Sessions are 45 minutes long and usually arranged weekly, at a time to suit you. They can be face to face, virtual or on the phone, whichever you prefer.

Self-refer at KYOH Lambeth

This service does not replace any existing referrals you may have with clinicians/nurses.

If you are unable to go online, please feel free to contact your practice to make a referral.

Except in an emergency, please make requests for home visits between 09:00 and 10:00 by calling the practice on 020 3829 0800.

A doctor or nurse may phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a nurse, or indeed arrange a hospital attendance.

House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.

Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit.

There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the Health Centre.

Apart from our usual medical services we also provide:

• Baby Clinic
• Baby and Childhood Development Checks
• Cervical Screening (smear tests)
• Pre-conception Counselling
• Antenatal and Postnatal Care
• Routine Childhood and Adult Immunisations
• Diabetic Care

Osteopathic services are available from Streatham Hill Group Practice, please ask at Reception for further details.