Guide to Health and the NHS

Your Guide to the UK Health System

We know that many new foreign students worry about health care and the NHS in the UK. After all, if you get ill whilst you are in the UK then you will want to get the best help you can. Emergencies are hard enough in your home country, let alone in a foreign one.

To help you out, we've created a guide that should answer all your questions and provide you with all the information you need to prepare for any illness or accident that might affect you.

NHS Direct also have a great Twitter page where you can ask any health questions you are worried about and they will personally get back to you, just like you can see on the right.

		The NHS Many international students will be entitled to use the National Health Service (NHS) for free. Find out whether you are entitled to free treatment...
		UK Doctors One of the first things you should do when you arrive in Britain is register with your local doctor (or GP as they are called in the UK). Find out how to register here...
		UK Dentists If you are staying in the UK for a long time then you will need to look after your teeth just as you do at home. Find out how to register with a dentist and make appointments...
		UK Opticians If you wear glasses or contact lenses, then you may need to see an optician during your stay in the UK. Find out where you can go and how to make appointments...
		Hospitals In an emergency it is important you know where your nearest hospital is and whether it can treat you. In the UK, only some hospitals treat Accidents and Emergencies...
		Health Insurance During your studies it is important that you get health insurance, especially if you are not covered by the NHS. Without it, health care can be very expensive...