Public healthcare
Public healthcare is provided by the National Health Service (NHS). Services include:
- Hospitals
- Doctors
- Dentists
- Chemists
- Opticians
- Ambulances
Entitlement to NHS treatment
Free and subsidised medical treatment from the NHS is available for:
- British citizens who are living in the UK
- Anyone who has been resident in the UK for the previous year
- EU nationals
- Students on courses longer than six months
- Anyone with a British work permit
- Nationals from countries with reciprocal health agreements with Britain, although exemption from charges is usually limited to emergency treatment.
Upon arrival you will need to register with a local General Practitioner (GP). Once registered, you will be entitled to free or subsidised medical advice and treatment. To find out where your nearest GP is located you can contact The Local Health Authority quoting your postcode on 0845 46 47 or visit the NHS website on
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Dentists
If you require a dentist whilst working in the UK you will need to pay for treatment (you do not need to register with a dentist until you need dental care).
To find out where your nearest dentist is located you can contact the NHS website quoting your postcode on www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Be Safe, Not Sorry
It is a good idea to take out medical insurance before you arrive in the UK if you are not sure whether you are entitled to free or subsidised healthcare. If not, treatment can be very expensive.
