UK Guide: Health

One of the most important things when going abroad is to make sure that you are covered in case of accidents or illness. Our health guide provides information on health insurance, hospitals, doctors and pharmacies.

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  National Health Service

  Public healthcare in the UK

  Britain's public provider of health care is known as the National Health Services (NHS). Services provided by the NHS include hospitals, family doctors, specialists, dentists, chemists, opticians and the ambulance service.

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  Private healthcare

  Private healthcare in Britain

  Private medical treatment in Britain is amongst the best in the world, with London having some of world’s most skilled specialists. Within the country, most people go private to avoid NHS waiting lists for non-emergency specialist appointments and non-urgent treatment. Around a quarter of all operations are performed privately.

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  Finding and seeing a doctor

  Registering with a GP

  On arrival in Britain, it is worth registering with a local GP (General Practitioner). There are many different points you might wish to consider when choosing a doctor (e.g. their gender, location, surgery hours), but often the best way to make a choice is to ask friends, colleagues or neighbours whether they can recommend someone.

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  Pharmacies

  Advice and medicines

  To obtain medicines and free advice for minor ailments in Britain, you should go to a pharmacy (or chemist). This is also where you must go to collect any medicine prescribed by your doctor.

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  Dentists

  Finding a dentist

  As with doctors, the best way to find a dentist is to ask your friends, colleagues and neighbours who they recommend. Dentists are listed under Dental Surgeons in the Yellow Pages.

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  Emergencies

  Emergency numbers, doctors and ambulances

  In case of an emergency, don't worry about insurance issues and head directly to the nearest hospital with A&E (Accident and Emergency) facility.

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  The NHS across the UK

  Is it all the same?

  Learning about the health system in the UK before you arrive is very important, but did you know that the NHS actually operates differently throughout the United Kingdom depending if you are in Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland?

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