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UK Health
The National Health Service (NHS) provides free hospital care and medical consultations to most residents, including holders of Uk Work Permits and their dependants in the UK.
To find out if you will be eligible to receive Health Care with the United Kingdom’s National Health Service please visit the Department of health’s overseas visitors guide.
Treatment that is available to ALL:
- Treatment given in an accident and emergency department (This excludes emergency treatment given elsewhere in the hospital)
- Treatment given in a walk in centre providing similar services to those of an accident and emergency department of a hospital
- Treatment for certain communicable diseases (excluding HIV/AIDS where it is only the first diagnosis and connected counselling sessions that are charge free)
- Compulsory psychiatric treatment
- Family planning services
The National Health Service has an extraordinarily helpful website which is packed full of easily accessible information, from finding services, healthy lifestyle choices to diagnosing ailments.
Emergency situations
In an emergency situation anyone visiting the Accident and Emergency section of an NHS hospital will receive free medical treatment, regardless of visa status.
In an emergency that requires an ambulance, police or the fire services you should dial 999 free from any telephone.
General Practitioners
Non-emergency conditions should first been seen by a doctor - under the NHS you are initially required to see a general practitioner (GP) for all health related (non emergency) matters.
The GP will then either write a prescription for treatment that can be taken to any chemist/ pharmacist in the UK or will refer you to a specialist as necessary.
Follow the link for more information on prescription charges
Registering with A GP
Once you have found your accommodation in the UK, you should register with a GP, taking two forms of proof of identity and proof of residence.
NHS Direct
The UK also offers an additional health service called, NHS Direct. This service offers information and advice about health, illness and UK health services online, via telephone and NHS Direct digital TV service .
NHS Direct Access
NHS Direct Website
NHS Direct digital TV service
NHS Telephone: 0845 46 47
