Know Your NHS: A Guide for International Students Know Your NHS: A Guide for International Students An essential guide for navigating the UK healthcare system < Back Know Your NHS: A Guide for International Students King's College NHS Health Centre 5 Aug 2025 An essential guide for navigating the UK healthcare system For many international students, navigating the healthcare system in the UK could be challenging, and that is why we created this whistle-stop guide to explain the essentials and what you need to do to get settled in. Read on, or click on the links to find the answer to your question. What is the NHS? Do I need to pay to access NHS healthcare? Register with a GP Would I be able to make a hospital appointment with a specialist myself? Dental and eye care I have a long-term health condition and I need regular follow-up or repeat prescription What is the NHS? The NHS (National Health Service) is the UK's public healthcare system founded back in 1948. The system is funded through taxes and provides medical services for everyone living in the UK. Through the NHS, people living in the UK can access GP (more on this below) appointments, hospital services, mental health, sexual health and many other health services for free. Whilst most NHS treatment is free, there are some that will incur a charge including prescriptions , dental care , and sight test . Plus, certain medical treatment is not covered by the NHS, for example cosmetic surgeries, and you will need to pay to access those. Outside the publicly funded NHS, private healthcare providers exist too. If you decide to go for private treatment, it is important to do your own research in understanding the costs and procedures and to check the providers' credentials. Do I need to pay to access NHS healthcare? For most international students, as part of your student visa application, you would have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which gives you full access to NHS services during your time in the UK. This means that most NHS services will be free at the point of use, bar the selective few, as explained above. For those interested in the nitty gritty, check out the NHS website on information on costs and exemptions: When you need to pay towards NHS care - NHS Register with a GP We will say it again louder for the people in the back : register with a NHS GP (General Practitioner) ASAP once you have arrived in the UK! Don't wait until you're sick to register, as this might delay in you getting seen by a doctor. GPs are doctors who we first contact for health problems. Cold and flu, minor injuries, sexual health concerns, long-term conditions, mental health support, you name it, GPs treat it. GPs work in their local "surgery" or "practice". Some simple facts about accessing a NHS GP: You have to be a registered patient for the GP practice to offer you an appointment. You can only register with one GP practice at a time. GP practices are generally not a walk-in , meaning a booked appointment is required to see a doctor. Each practice will have their own way of booking appointments so please check with your registered GP practice. Not to toot our own horn, but if you're studying at King's, we'd recommend that you register with us as your GP. We are located at Strand campus and are open only to current KCL students and staff. Go to our Registration page to register today — the only identification we require is your KCL ID number. Would I be able to make a hospital appointment with a specialist myself? Short answer: No. We know that that might be how your healthcare system works back home, but the NHS is designed differently. To be seen by a specialist doctor at a hospital (called "secondary care" in NHS lingo), you will need a GP referral . This means that you need to be seen by your GP first, and if your doctor thinks it is medically necessary for your condition or symptom to be further investigated or treated by a specialist, they will refer you to the local hospital service. The long answer can be found on NHS website: Referrals for specialist care - NHS NHS dental and eye care NHS dental treatment and eye care are separate from GP, and they are not free. You can use this NHS finder How to find an NHS dentist - NHS to locate a dentist near you and see here to find out: What happens when you visit an NHS dentist - NHS The most common eye care students ask about is sight test. See: Visiting an optician - NHS I have a long-term health condition and I need regular follow-up or repeat prescription If you have a pre-existing health condition that requires ongoing medical attention, please register with a GP as a priority when you arrive and make an appointment without delay. When attending your GP appointment, bring in your medical record (for example, diagnostic reports or test results) and prescription history to help your doctor build a full picture of your condition and needs. UK has its own medical guidelines on clinical treatment and prescribing and they might differ from the ones in your home country. So if you are coming from abroad with a need for repeat prescriptions, it is best to bring sufficient supply when travelling and make an appointment ASAP on arrival to minimise any potential gaps in your medical regimens. Also, check the laws in the UK and in your home country about travelling with prescribed medicines: Take medicine in or out of the UK - GOV.UK Bonus point, if your long-term health condition might impact how you could engage with your studies, consider contacting the University's Disability & Inclusion Support to find out what support you may be eligible for: Disability Support & Inclusion | King's College London And that's a wrap! The only thing left for you to do is to register with a GP. For those of you who have registered with us, take a look at our pages Appointments and Clinics & Services to find out how things work and what is provided at KCHC. Previous Next

RESEARCH PROJECTS HOME PAGE OpenSafely In 2025 the national data OpenSafely was rolled out and automatic anonymised data sharing took place from GP practices to a national system. You can opt out of this programme at the following link https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out Evaluating the Feasibility and Usability of a Virtual Medical Assistant in GP Practices From January 2026 London Asthma Diagnostic study TBC

Follow our process to request a medical certificate for your University's Mitigating Circumstances Application MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HOME PAGE Requesting medical evidence for your Mitigating Circumstances (MCF) application? If you need a medical certificate from us for your university's Mitigating Circumstances (MCF) application, please contact us either in-person at reception, by phone or submit a PATCHS request, to initiate the process. We will ask you to complete a short questionnaire in order for the certificate to be issued. Depending on your situation, your GP might ask you to book a consultation appointment before issuing any certificate. You need to be a registered patient for us to issue you a medical certificate. If your need a GP consultation to discuss your health problems related to the MCF application, please submit a PATCHS request to request an appointment. Please be respectful of your GP's time and resources when requesting a medical certificate. As your GP practice, our priority is always providing clinical care. We have a different process for requesting medical evidence unrelated to the MCF procedure, please see under 'Our Services' > 'Forms & Certificates': here Flow chart for requesting a MCF medical certificate 1. Are you a registered patient at King's College Health Centre? YES - go to 2 NO - you need to register first, please go here 2. Have you already had a GP appointment to discuss your mitigating circumstances/health conditions? YES - go to 3 NO - go to 4, please note that you might need to book a GP appointment first before we can issue you a certificate 3. Did you discuss with the GP your need for a medical certificate? YES - if your GP has agreed to issue a certificate, you should receive this via email NO - go to 4 4. Contact us (in-person at reception, by phone, or via PATCHS) to say that you need 'a medical certificate for Mitigating Circumstances'. We will send you the short questionnaire to complete. Contact the University if you have any questions about Mitigating Circumstances The Mitigating Circumstances is a University internal procedure and we are not involved in managing or reviewing the applications. Click on the University's advice links below to better understand the procedure: How can I apply for mitigating circumstances? https://self-service.kcl.ac.uk/article/KA-01744/en-us Application deadlines for mitigating circumstances https://self-service.kcl.ac.uk/article/KA-01743/en-us What evidence do I need to provide for my mitigating circumstances application? https://self-service.kcl.ac.uk/article/KA-01745/en-us

CLINICS & SERVICES KCL STAFF HOME PAGE OUR CLINICS DIABETES CLINIC ANTENATAL CARE ASTHMA CLINIC ACUPUNCUTURE CLINIC OVER 40s HEALTH CHECK MINOR SURGERY CERVICAL SCREENING STOP SMOKING CLINIC VACCINATIONS PHYSIOTHERAPY PRESCRIPTIONS BLOOD TEST OTHER TESTING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CONTRACEPTION DIABETES CLINIC Dedicated clinics are held monthly and are run by Dr Eric Britton with a healthcare assistant trained in looking after patients with diabetes. This is a one stop clinic where bloods, foot checks, referral to Eye screening, dietician input and overall review can be done at a single appointment. ASTHMA CLINIC We offer respiratory management and can refer you for lung function tests. Your treatment will be assessed and changed if necessary and follow up arranged as required so we can optimise your care. OVER 40's HEALTH CHECK The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of your overall health. It can tell you whether you're at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as: heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke. During the check-up you'll discuss how to reduce your risk of these conditions. Your NHS Health Check will be done by a healthcare professional. This will usually be one of our GPAs, but it could also be a nurse or healthcare assistant. The check is a 30 minute appointment. CERVICAL SCREENING/SMEAR TEST/PAP TEST Cervical smear test is a quick, reliable and easy screening test which can detect abnormal cells very early on. These cells may turn into cancer of the neck of the womb if not treated in their early stages. Regular smear tests can prevent women from getting cancer and it is therefore very important to have one done. We now test all cervical smears for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which has been found to be one of the causes of cervical cancer. In the UK the test is offered to any woman aged 25 years and above. ANTENATAL CARE All our GPs are able to provide Antenatal care which enables pregnant and new mothers to have their routine checks, vaccines and ask for advice. We advise that you make your first appointment about 6-8 weeks following the first day of your last menstrual period and following a positive home pregnancy test. We usually offer shared care with the hospital of your choice. ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC We host a private acupuncture clinic for patients registered at the Health Centre. If you would like to access the private service please click here for more details. Acupuncture is a safe and effective form of treatment. It is part of a system of medicine called Traditional Chinese medicine which originated in China, but has increasingly spread around the world. Patients often seek acupuncture treatment for chronic pain; migraines and other headaches; arthritis and other joint problems emotional problems such as anxiety or depression, insomnia, fear and phobias. digestive complaints, or problems relating to eating and eating habits. ’odd problems’ where no obvious cause has been found despite investigation. Acupuncture treatment is often combined with dietary advice, and advice regarding lifestyle and daily habits. Acupuncture can be combined with standard medical care and with western medication. MINOR SURGERY We have a fully equipped minor operations room within the surgery. Dr Mona Vaidya is specially trained in the removal of lumps and bumps, skin biopsies, cautery. The clinics run on Wednesday mornings. You will need to be referred to the minor surgery via an appointment with a GP. STOP SMOKING CLINIC Want to stop smoking? Tried and find it hard to quit? Come and speak to our smoking cessation adviser or one of the practice nurses. They are all trained to help and support you to stop smoking. They are fully up to date with all the new medications that help smokers to quit. Please contact reception for details. CONTRACEPTION All our doctors and nurses are able to provide up to date, safe contraceptive advice. You have a choice of the contraceptive pill, depo contraceptive injections and contraceptive implants (Nexplanon). We offer hormonal and non-hormonal coil fitting (IUD/IUS –Mirena). There are a number of clinics for contraception coils and implants during the month. Please see a nurse or GP to be referred. Visit https://www.sexwise.org.uk/ for more information. VACCINATIONS The main routine vaccinations are: Flu Vaccine If you are in the 'at risk' category you will be offered an annual free Flu Vaccine. Information about special clinics is sent out in September, when the campaign starts. The Flu Jab is very safe. If you do not fall into one of these groups eligible for free NHS flu jabs but would like to be immunised, you will need to go to a pharmacy. Pneumococcal Vaccination This is a once in a life time vaccination that prevents a serious form of pneumonia. If you are over 65 years of age or considered to be in an 'at risk' group you are entitled to have this vaccination. RSV Vaccination For more info on NHS Vaccines PHYSIOTHERAPY You can refer yourself for Physiotherapy without the need to see the GP by visiting the website. Click here to self refer PRESCRIPTIONS P lease note: some medications may not need a prescription from your GP If you need medication that has not been issued by us before, please book an initial consultation. Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) electronically sends your prescription to any pharmacy of your choice. To do this you can go to the pharmacy of your choice and sign up with them or alternatively you can manage your nominated pharmacies via your SystmOnline account, You can request repeat medications via PATCHS or SystmOnline (providing your medication review is not overdue and you are not overusing the medication). If you are requesting online please allow up to 48 hours for your prescription to be ready at your nominated pharmacy, this is also the case if you request them directly at the Health Centre. NHS charges You can view the current NHS charge for prescriptions here If you use a number of regular medicine you may benefit from a prepaid prescription card. Prescription exemption BLOOD TEST If you need a blood test as directed by your doctor or one of the nurses, or for HIV tesing, we offer a phlebotomy service at the practice. Bookable appointments are available by phone or at reception. OTHER TESTING Our nurses and healthcare assistants can also manage other conditions such as minor illness, wound care, perform ECG- electrocardiogram, ABPM- blood pressure monitoring over 24 hours. Please book an appointment via reception. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TALKING THERAPIES IAPT stands for ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’. CNWL Talking Therapies Service is part of this service and offers cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a primary treatment approach for depression, anxiety, stress, panic disorders, sleep disorders, to name a few and it is tailored to the individual's need. Click here to self-refer COUNSELLING & MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT This team is is here to help you cope with personal and emotional problems. The Service is for all undergraduate and postgraduate students and is free and confidential. This is a separate service from the Health Centre however, if required the doctors can advise and refer. You can also self-refer. To find out more please see this link SOUTH WESTMINSTER MENTAL HEALTH HUB This is the community mental health team. Referrals are made by the GP for review by a psychiatrist or for complex psychological therapy. Click here for more information.

Access your online patient record, order prescriptions and view results via SystmOnline YOUR PATIENT RECORD, PRESCRIPTIONS & RESULTS HOME PAGE SYSTMONLINE PRESCRIPTIONS TEST RESULTS UPDATE YOUR CONTACTS SYSTMONLINE Systmonline is the online service where we store your GP patient record. It offers these features: View your patient record and correspondence (including texts, emails and letters) View your previous and future appointments at King's College Health Centre View your test results ordered by King's College Health Centre View and manage your prescriptions Manage and update your nominated pharmacy Contact us via Message to share your medical record and admin queries How to log in? If you give consent to online services at registration, we will email you your individual login (username & password). Contact us if you couldn't find your login details. Click here to log in. PRESCRIPTIONS P lease note: some medications may not need a prescription from your GP. If you need medication that has not been issued by us before, please book an initial consultation with a GP. Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) electronically sends your prescription to any pharmacy of your choice. To do this, you can go to the pharmacy of your choice and sign up with them, or alternatively you can manage your nominated pharmacies via your SystmOnline account. You can request repeat medications via SystmOnline , providing your medications have been issued by our GP before, your medication review is not overdue, and you are not overusing the medication. For other medication requests, please submit a PATCHS . If you are requesting online please allow up to 48 hours for your prescription to be ready at your nominated pharmacy. This is also the case if you request them directly at the Health Centre. NHS charges You can view the current NHS charge for prescriptions here If you use a number of regular medicine you may benefit from a prepaid prescription card. Also see: Prescription exemption TEST RESULTS During your consultation, your GP or nurse might order a blood test, urine/stool sample, swab and/or other tests to be done. These tests will be carried out separately from your consultation appointment. On average, it takes 3 to 7 working days for the lab to run the test samples and return the results to us. You will be notified by texts when your results are ready to view, and you can view the results on your SystmOnline . If clinically necessary, we might give you a call to book you in for a result review appointment. For urine/stool/swab sample tests, you can do this at the Health Centre's toilet or at home and drop it off at the reception. Please note, our sample drop-off window is Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm; we will not be able to take in samples outside this window. UPDATE YOUR CONTACTS You should let us know if you change mobile number or address. You can update your contacts at reception or send us a message via SystmOnline.

Check Your Breasts with CoppaFeel! Check Your Breasts with CoppaFeel! Repeat after us: "If in doubt, get it checked out." < Back Check Your Breasts with CoppaFeel! King's College NHS Health Centre 2 May 2025 Repeat after us: "If in doubt, get it checked out." Breast cancer can affect people of any age or gender, and it is one of the most common cancers in the UK, accounting for 15% of all new cases. Did you know that: Around 2,500 people under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK 1 in 7 women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime Nearly 400 men in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. (Source: CoppaFeel! & Cancer Research UK ) Currently, the NHS England breast screening service covers women 50 to 70-years-old. As most of our patients are young adults and will not be eligible for the NHS breast screening, we want to focus on promoting self-checking so you could be proactive about your own health early on. Source: "We need to make sure that breast cancer in young people is always detected early" - Sue's Story - CoppaFeel! That is why we are sharing the crucial work by CoppaFeel! to teach you step-by-step how to check your breasts and chest (don't forget your collarbone and armpits), as well as signs to be aware of. CoppaFeel! is the first UK breast cancer charity to create awareness in young people. It was founded in 2009 by Kris Hallenga and her twin sister Maren, after Kris was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 23. Watch the video tutorial: How To Check Your Breasts, Pecs or Chest | CoppaFeel! Checking resources trans and non-binary people, including changes to look out for during transitioning: Resources for Trans and Non-Binary People - CoppaFeel! Remember that all bodies are different and breasts and nipples come in all shapes and sizes. Plus, if you have regular periods, some changes in your body happen naturally. So it is important to check routinely (every month) to know what normal feels like for you. CoppaFeel! also shines light on breast health inequities in marginalised communities and co-develops materials and awareness content with other charities; have a look below: Source: Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Month 2024 | CoppaFeel! Our new translated checking leaflets 🍉 🍉 - CoppaFeel! The Chest Checklist | CoppaFeel! x Black Women Rising Let’s Talk Breast Cancer Awareness Within The Muslim Community 'It's important to stand up for yourself' - Nahila's Story You can also check nhs.uk for health information on How to check your breasts or chest - NHS , Breast lumps - NHS , and Breast cancer in women - NHS / Breast cancer in men - NHS . Previous Next

Mandarin Info: click links to read more KCHC 常见问题/KCHC FAQ (Simplified Mandarin) NHS 简介/NHS Overview 药物处方 / Prescription Information 词汇表/ Mandarin Glossary HOME PAGE The Health Advisor for Mandarin-Speaking Students (HAMSS) project is our partnership pilot with King's Counselling & Mental Health Support Service. Read our impact report here: HAMSS Impact Report September 2025

YOU AND YOUR GP HOME PAGE You and your GP guide This guide tells you what to expect from your general practice (GP) and how you can help them, so you get the best from the National Health Service (NHS). More details can be found through the links below. When and how can you contact your general practice? King’s College Health Centre is open from 9.00am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday for our patients or their carer to visit the practice or call and speak to a member of our Admin team. Online consultations, available through the practice’s website, can be submitted 8.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday. Our Out of Hours team can assist with phone enquiries between 8.00am and 9.00am. Tools such as the NHS App or Systmonline/AirMid are available 24/7 to use and contact your surgery. Enquiries will be addressed during opening hours. You can choose the way you contact your practice based on what is best for you. Some practices may have longer hours or may ask that you contact them via phone or in person for urgent queries. What if the practice is closed? If you need urgent help for your physical or mental health when the general practice is closed, and you cannot wait until they open, go online to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. They will tell you what to do next. What if it’s an emergency? If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, go straight to A&E (Accident and Emergency) or call 999. What happens when you contact your practice to request an appointment? Whether you make your request by phone, on-line or visiting your practice, you may be asked to give your practice some details so that they can assess what is best for you based on your clinical need. The practice team will consider your request for an appointment or medical advice and tell you within one working day what will happen next. This could be: An appointment that day or a subsequent day A phone call that day or a subsequent day A text message responding to your query Advice to go to a pharmacy or another NHS service. Your practice will decide what is best for you based on your clinical need. Your practice cannot tell you to just call back the next day. Who might help you? You might be offered a face-to-face appointment or a phone call with a GP or other member of the practice staff, like a nurse or pharmacist. If you have a carer, they can speak for you with your consent. You can ask to see a preferred healthcare professional, and the practice will try to meet your request, although you might have to wait longer for that person to be available. It can be helpful to see the same healthcare professional, particularly if you have a long-term health condition. What if you need extra help? If you do not speak English, you can ask for interpretation services in your preferred language when you make an appointment. If you need extra help like longer appointments, a quiet space, wheelchair access, or information in a different format, tell your practice and they will try to help. How do you choose a general practice? You can: Students and Staff members of King’s College University can register with King’s College Health Centre during their course/employment via the practice’s website . Call or visit your local practice. Find a GP online can guide you who your local surgery is. Remember that you can be registered with only one NHS GP at a time. If you want to change to a new general practice you can do so at any point. Most people have a few choices nearby. Do you need ID or proof of address? No, you do not need ID, an NHS number or proof of address. It can help the practice if you do, but it is not needed to register or see a GP. You would, however, need to provide your student/staff details if you register with KCHC. You can also register with a specialist homeless practice if you are homeless. Can a practice say no to registering you? They must write to you within 14 days if they say no and explain why. A practice can only say no for a good reason, like if you live too far away or their patient list is closed. King’s College Health Centre can register all KCL students or staff (or their partner living under the same address) as long as they reside in England. General Practices cannot say no for reasons such as immigration status, not having a permanent address, or for reasons connected with other characteristics protected under equalities legislation. Can you choose which hospital or clinic you are referred to? If your GP needs to refer you for a physical or mental health condition, in most cases you have the right to choose the hospital or service you’d like to go to. Some services will need to be your GP’s locally commissioned service as first point of contact. You can get further information on your right to choose on the nhs.uk website . If you are new to the UK You can still register with a GP. It’s free to use and your immigration status does not affect your right to register with a GP. If you are away from home but still in the UK If you are away from home for more than 24 hours (but less than 3 months), you can register as a temporary patient near where you’re staying. You can also change your nominated pharmacy so you can get your medicine nearby. You can do this by contacting your practice or via the NHS App. Do general practices charge for anything? NHS GP services are free. Sometimes, if you ask the GP to do private work (like writing a letter for insurance), they may charge a fee. How should everyone be treated? The practice should treat everyone fairly, kindly and respectfully. Likewise, you should also treat staff with respect. The practice can remove patients from their list if they are violent or abusive to staff. To learn more about your rights, you can read the NHS Constitution . How can you help your general practice? Be prepared: Before an appointment, think about writing down your symptoms, what you are worried about and what you want to talk about. Be on time: Being late for an appointment or being unavailable for a timed call-back can affect other patients. Cancel if needed: If you can’t go to your appointment, tell the practice as soon as you can, so that they can offer it to someone else. Use the NHS App or Systmonline: If you’re confident using smart phones or computers, you can book or cancel appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and see your test results online. Turn on notifications: If you use the NHS App, turn on notifications so the practice can contact you more easily. Please keep an eye out for messages. Order repeat medicines on time: Make sure you ask for repeat prescriptions on time, so you don’t run out, and only order what you need. How can you give feedback or raise concerns? If you want to give feedback, raise a concern or wish to make a formal complaint, ask to speak to the practice manager. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, contact your integrated care board (ICB) – the local NHS body that oversees GPs practices. You can find your local integrated care on the NHS England website . You can also give feedback about your practice to your local Healthwatch. Their job is to make sure NHS leaders and other decision-makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve care. Healthwatch is independent and impartial, and any information you share with them is confidential. To find your local Healthwatch visit the Healthwatch website .

Mandarin Talking Therapies Now Available Mandarin Talking Therapies Now Available NHS Westminster Talking Therapies Services now offers Mandarin language counselling < Back Mandarin Talking Therapies Now Available King's College NHS Health Centre 23 Sept 2024 NHS Westminster Talking Therapies Services now offers Mandarin language counselling In September 2024, we and the Westminster Talking Therapies Services have co-created a Mandarin Talking Therapies pathway for our patients. From the initial phone triage to talking therapies, all provision is conducted by Mandarin-speaking NHS clinicians. This is a free and confidential NHS service. Please ask your GP to refer you. Check out the flyer for more: Click here: Westminster NHS Talking Therapies to find out about what talking therapies do and how they can help. Previous Next

Your Eating Disorder Support Coordinator is Here Your Eating Disorder Support Coordinator is Here Struggling with disordered eating? Dedicated support is here for you. < Back Your Eating Disorder Support Coordinator is Here King's College NHS Health Centre 28 Nov 2024 Struggling with disordered eating? Dedicated support is here for you. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your recovery journey, and struggling to take steps forward, we offer 121 support with the Eating Disorder Support Coordinator, Sophie Brassill, to discuss your recovery journey. You can contact us and ask to book in for a support session that is currently held on Wednesdays between 10:00-13:00. Eating Disorder Support Links https://linktr.ee/eatingdisordersupport ED Support email address eatingdisordersupport@kcl.ac.uk Previous Next