Medical treatment

If your course is longer than six months, you and your family can have some free medical care while you are in the UK. You should register with a doctor (GP) soon after you arrive. You can register with a GP near your accommodation or with the local Health Centre. You will then receive a medical card by post with your National Health Service number.

Almost all surgeries have both male and female GP’s and you can ask to see one or the other for routine problems if you have a preference, although you may not have a choice in an emergency. You usually have to make an appointment when you want to see a GP and you can do this by telephoning or visiting the surgery. Most surgeries also have an emergency number to phone in case you need to see the GP urgently. Telephone advice can be obtained by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or you can find information at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk