What is the NHS (National Health Service)?
Anna S, Welfare and Learning Support Officer, talks all about the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK and how international students can access it for free.
As a student you will have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (NHS surcharge) as part of Student Visa. This means you are entitled to free health care services in the UK provided by the National Health Service (NHS).
Here are some essential things to know about this service and how to access it:
What is the pharmacy?
You can buy standard medications such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, cold & flu medicine, and antihistamines at a pharmacy (Boots, Lloyds, Superdrug). This is a shop that sells medical supplies, and you can usually to talk to a pharmacist for advice. Some medication will require you to get a prescription from your doctor before you take it to the pharmacy for collection. If you are already taking prescribed medication from a doctor in your home country, you must ensure you visit the GP/Doctor with a medical report from your home country doctor as soon as you arrive in the UK. Find your closest pharmacy here.
What is a General Practitioner/Doctor?
A doctor in the UK might also be called a ‘GP’ (General Practitioner). To access NHS doctor appointments, you must register with a GP Practice. If you live in postcodes LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4, LS5, LS6, LS7, LS9, LS10, LS16 you can register with Leeds Student Medical Practice — Register Here. If you live in a different postcode, you can find another NHS GP near you here.
Registering with a GP can take weeks to process before you can access the service, so you must register as soon as possible. You can register with a private doctor (GP) if you prefer. This is NOT free, but there will be a reduced wait time for appointments.
If you need to see a doctor (GP) for an ongoing illness or diagnosed condition you can book an appointment by calling the practice you are registered at. For same day appointments you must call at 8am (these appointments get booked up very fast), or you can request to book an appointment for a later date. Some doctors also allow you to book online, so check their website.
Urgent medical support
You can call 111 for medical advice, or you can visit 111 online here if you are unsure where to do for medical support. If you have experienced an injury such as a deep cut or sprain, you can visit a walk-in centre. At a walk-in centre you can be seen on the same day, but there can be a long wait (up to 8 hours). The closest walk-in centre in Leeds is Shakespeare Medical Practice.
Only visit an Emergency Department (also known as A&E / Accident & Emergency) if you are having a medical or mental emergency.
If you are having a medical or mental emergency (your life is in danger), you can call 999 or visit an Emergency Department for urgent medical assistance. There are 2 Emergency Departments in Leeds: Leeds General Infirmary and St James University Hospital.
Remember, if you are experiencing an ongoing medical or mental condition, it is important to inform the Welfare and Learning Support Team at Leeds ISC so they can support you.
