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Medical Care

a)National Health Service in the United Kingdom

Great Britain has a government subsidised National Health Service (NHS), and as a resident of the UK, by the deduction of National Insurance from your salary, you and your family are entitled to medical coverage.

In order to apply as foreign national who lives in the UK for NHS registration you need to have obtained a National Insurance (NI) number.

To obtain a NHS number, you must register with a local doctor (known as General Practitioner - GP). When you have found a GP who has accepted you as a patient, he will apply for your NHS number.

b)Doctors

It is impossible to go directly to a specialist for healthcare. You must consult your GP first.

GPs do not have emergency and accident facilities and you are expected to go to the casualty or A&E department at your nearest NHS hospital.

c)Pharmacy / Chemist-Medicines

Prescription medicines for children under 16 or in full-time education are free. After that there is a fee.

d)Health Insurance

Private insurance is available through British Private Insurers such as PPP, BUPA or WPA.
However this is for specialist help only and does not cover visits to the GP.
Blue Cross Insurance held by US citizens coming to the UK can be transferred here.

e)Emergency

In an emergency, dial 999 or go to the nearest A & E Department.

Should you require a Doctor outside normal surgery hours, their ansaphone service will usually give you the procedure to follow.

f)E111

When you are an EU National, you can apply for this form which entitles you, in case of an emergency, to partially free medical coverage within the European Union.
Obtainable from a DHSS office or from a Post Office.