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

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

Appointment booking at KCL NHS Health Centre. Fill in a PATCHS form to book with our GP. APPOINTMENTS WE ARE OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY 9AM - 6.30PM GP APPOINTMENTS IF WE ARE CLOSED EVENINGS & WEEKENDS HOME PAGE GP APPOINTMENTS You need to be a registered patient to book an appointment. If you are not registered, please click here to complete registration. If you are in need of a GP appointment, you will need to complete an online consultation form via PATCHS between the hours of 8am and 6:30pm (Monday to Friday). Y our PATCHS request will be reviewed by a GP. If your request is deemed medically urgent, you will be given an appointment with the GP within 24 hours. All other PATCHS will be sent a routine booking link to the appropriate service or clinician such as below: A routine face to face GP appointment A routine telephone GP appointment Self-referral link to an appropriate service Pharmacist MSK physiotherapist Referral to Community Services Advice given without needing an appointment To complete a PATCHS, please click the PATCHS banner below, or you can access this through your NHS app. If you are using PATCHS for the first time, you will need to create an account first. Follow these 4 simple steps: 1. Go on to PATCHS (click the banner or link below) 2. Select 'Contact my GP practice' -> 'Continue with PATCHS' -> 'Create an account as a patient' 3. Fill out the form and verify your email address 4. Log back in to PATCHS and submit your request Click HERE to contact your GP online. Answer a few simple questions and PATCHS will quickly get you help. ADVICE. FIT NOTES. MEDICATION For more information regarding PATCHS please see below video: For routine measurement checks including blood pressure, weight and height - you can visit our POD room, no booking is needed. For more information please see the video below: EVENINGS & WEEKENDS We work with local partners to improve patient care through collaborative and integrated service delivery whilst supporting general practice working. The Enhanced Access Hubs are managed by the Federation. They enable patients to see a variety of clinicians to be seen outside of core service hours. Patients can book appointments between 6.30pm and 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. Appointments are offered at a choice of two hubs, one located in the north of the borough and one in the south. Patients can book into any hub of their choosing by speaking to their registered GP surgery or by calling the hub service when their surgery is closed. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide this service to patients who are not registered with a GP in the Westminster area. The two locations are: Connaught Square practice 41 Connaught Square, St George's Fields, London W2 2HL Weekdays 6.30pm - 8.30pm Saturdays 9am to 5pm Pimlico Health at the Marven 46-50 Lupus St, Pimlico, London SW1V 3EB Weekdays 6.30pm - 8.30pm Saturdays 9am to 5pm HOW CAN PATIENTS BOOK IN? You can do this via your registered GP practice requesting an appointment at the enhanced access hub Online through Airmid (a version of SystmOnline) For enquires or to cancel your appointment after 6:30pm you can email Connaught square hub: hcl.hclcommsenhancedaccess@nhs.net Pimlico hub: hcl.hclenhancedaccess@nhs.net WHAT TO DO BETWEEN 8PM TO 8AM? In a life threatening emergency dial 999. It’s quite simple to remember, for life-threatening emergencies dial 999. Always call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk. Examples of medical emergencies include (but are not limited to): chest pain difficulty in breathing unconsciousness severe loss of blood severe burns or scalds choking fitting or concussion drowning severe allergic reactions. URGENT CARE DIAL 111 111 is free and available 24 hours a day. 111 is a non-emergency service which offers urgent health care assessment and can signpost you to the most appropriate care for your condition; this could be self-care, your GP practice, your local Enhanced Access Hub a local pharmacy, walk-in centre, the emergency department or we’ll arrange for an emergency ambulance if required. When you call 111, the first voice you will hear is one of our specially trained call assessors who will take you through a series of questions to determine how we can help. We also have a team of clinicians on hand within our control room who is able to provide additional assessment and advice, when required, over the phone. Our team of clinicians include GPs, nurses, pharmacists as well as dental and mental health nurses. You should call NHS 111 if: You need medical help fast but it’s not a life-threatening emergency You don’t know who to call for medical help or you don’t have a GP to call You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service but are not sure which one is most appropriate or closest You require health advice or reassurance about what to do next You have medication enquiries 111 is also available online https://111.nhs.uk if you’re not sure what to do For less urgent health needs, you should contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way. More about local services in your area, see: https://www.mecclink.co.uk/london IF WE ARE CLOSED When our practice is closed you can call 111 for any medical concerns that cannot wait until we reopen. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 999 in a serious medical emergency.

All new patients need to complete registration with us before you can book an appointment REGISTRATION REGISTER ONLINE REGISTRATION INFORMATION CATCHMENT AREA OUT OF AREA REGISTRATION HOME PAGE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS REGISTRATION INFORMATION You have to be a registered patient to book appointments at King's College London NHS Health Centre . You can be registered at King's College London NHS Health Centre if: You are a current student of the University (King's College London) You are employed by the University (King's College London) You are the partner/spouse of a student or staff member at the University living at the same address. To register, please click here: Register Online and fill in the registration form. PLEASE ONLY SUBMIT IT ONCE. If you are unsure about the status of your registration, please contact us. There is no regulatory requirement to provide proof of ID, address details, immigration status or an NHS number in order to register. We do require evidence of your student/staff member status, which is normally your KCL ID card. Once you have completed the registration form, you can book appointments (see: Appointments ) with one of the clinicians straight away. For new patients and international students, please read our NHS Guide and You& Your GP guide for a quick orientation to the NHS and our practice. You can also register in person at the Health Centre as well as following the NHSE link: Register with a GP surgery CATCHMENT AREA Our catchment area includ es the whole of London. If you do not live in our catchment area, please see below information about Out Of Area Registration. OUT OF AREA REGISTRATION If you live outside our catchment area (please see map a bove) the Health Centre will still register you without the option of home visits if it is clinically appropriate and practical in your individual case. To register you in this way we may need to: Ask you or the practice you are currently registered with questions about your health to help decide whether to register you in this way Ask you questions about why it is practical for you to attend this practice If accepted you can attend the practice and receive the full range of services provided. If you have an urgent care need and you cannot make it to the Health Centre we may ask you to call NHS 111 who will put you in touch with your local service . This arrangement only applies to patients who live in England. For further information visit the NHS choices website: www.nhs.uk INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS YOUR HEALTH IS IMPORTANT There are a few "life admin" tasks you will need to sort out before you start your journey at King’s College London. One of them will be registering with a NHS GP (General Practitioner). In the UK, GP are doctors trained and experienced in diagnosing a wide range of health problems, and they are usually your first point of contact when you experience any health issues. To understand how the NHS works and what healthcare we as a GP practice provide, please read our NHS Guide and You&Your GP Guide which include commonly asked questions by new patients. We also have a dedicated Mandarin info hub . You may also want to get familiar with the NHS website , where you will find useful information and advice on how to get help and medical care as a student and find other services you may need. HOW DO I REGISTER WITH A GP? It is essential that you register with a local GP as soon as you get to the university so that you can access NHS services. If you live within the catchment area, you can register with us at King’s College London NHS Health Centre. We are a NHS GP Practice for staff and students of King’s College London only. DO I NEED ANY VACCINATIONS BEFORE I GET TO UNIVERSITY? Click here for a guide to help you understand the vaccines offered in the UK. CAN I ACCESS MY PRESCRIBED MEDICATION IN THE UK? We can prescribe some of the more common medications such as asthma inhalers, insulin, acne treatment, antidepressants and contraceptive tablets. You must make an appointment with your GP to discuss this once you register. To make things as easy as possible, remember to bring your existing medication or prescription with you to the appointment and if possible any specialist letters or results of recent tests. Please bear in mind that you may be given slightly different medication from the one originally prescribed, as local protocols vary and some medications from abroad are not available in the UK. In some cases, you will need to be referred to a local specialist before your medication is prescribed. Sometimes, it may actually be easier to get supplies of your medication posted from home. This is particularly true of some American medications for ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) which are not the same in Britain. HOW DO I FIND A DENTAL SURGERY? Dentists work independently from GPs. Check NHS Choices for a dentist near to where you live. HOW DO I FIND AN OPTICIAN? Opticians are also independent from GPs. Check NHS Choices for an optician near to where you live. IS EVERYTHING ON THE NHS FREE? If you are an international student studying in the UK for 6 months or longer, you need to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application. The IHS covers most of the NHS services (with some exceptions) so you will not need to pay when accessing the healthcare service. Seeing a nurse, GP or other healthcare professional (e.g. physiotherapist, dietitian) is normally free. Tests, assessments, procedures and operations on the NHS are also free; however, this does not include some surgery such as most cosmetic operations. Also what you are charged for will depend on your eligibility for 'secondary' NHS care as above. Check this guide by UKCISA: International students' healthcare . See: When you need to pay towards NHS care - NHS There is a flat charge of per prescribed medication on the NHS, although contraception and some other medications are free. There are some medicines, such as Malaria tablets, which are not prescribed on the NHS, and you will need to pay the cost price of the medicine plus a charge for a private prescription. Some vaccinations, including MMR and meningitis C, are free, whilst others such as travel vaccines (see our Travel clinic webpage) incur a charge. A ccident and Emergency (A&E) Departments are for serious, life-threatening injuries and illnesses only. There is no charge for true emergencies, although if you are admitted to the hospital or referred to an outpatient clinic, this will incur a charge unless you are an NHS patient. The nearest A&E department to the Strand Campus is St Thomas’ Hospital . Some students qualify for free prescriptions for medical reasons or if on low income; further information can be found here . People with certain medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypothyroidism) and pregnant women are also entitled to free prescriptions. Your doctor will help you to complete a medical exemption form if this is the case. WHERE ELSE CAN I GET MEDICAL HELP? Pharmacists can often advise on minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild acne, cuts and bruises, warts and verrucas, hay fever, BV and thrush, fungal nail infections, period pain etc. You can access a wider range of medication from a Pharmacist than you can at a supermarket. Opticians not only provide spectacles but can also check the general health of the eye, including the eye pressure and also the health of the retina. Dentists can provide advice and treatment for all aspects of mouth and dental care. They are separate from GP surgeries. To register with an NHS Dentist you will need to quote your NHS number. You will receive this in the post 2-3 months after you first register with a GP in the UK. HERE ARE SOME USEFUL WEBSITES Self Care Forum - helping people take care of themselves Immigration Health Surcharge Home Office - UK Border Agency UK Council for International Student Affairs Help with Health Costs - provides exemption certificates to those entitled and sends Prescription Pre-Payment Certificates (PPCs). Follow the link for more information on PPCs, Low Income Scheme, Medical Exemption, Pregnant Women and those who have had a baby in the last 12 months, Tax Credits and applying for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Information for Mandarin Speaking Patients Information for visitors to England - Accessing health services while in England.

Access Improvement Plan Guidance 2025/2026 Access Improvement Plan Guidance 2025/2026 We are constantly working on ways for our patients to access the care they need, when they need it < Back Access Improvement Plan Guidance 2025/2026 Access Improvement Plan 20 Jul 2025 We are constantly working on ways for our patients to access the care they need, when they need it We are constantly working on ways for our patients to access the care they need, when they need it.  To support us to do that, our local  Integrated Care Board (ICB)  has developed a description of the access service, with measures, and allocated some funding to deliver the NW London Improving access specification.  This specification aims to support Practices to develop models which build resilience and make effective use of resources. This should mean better access, best use of clinical time, and increased continuity and proactive care for those that would benefit the most from it.  To ensure transparency and to make sure your voice is incorporated into what we do, we’re now sharing a summary of these plans with you.  We encourage feedback and ask that any questions or comments are first raised at your Patient Participation Group (PPG). If they are about access more widely, you can contact nhsnwl.centrallondon@nhs.net for the Integrated Care Board.  Access Improvement plan fo r South Westminster P rimary Care Network (PCN)  To support improvement across the system, the access specification in 2025/26 NW London ICB asks PCNs to work with their constituent practices to develop access improvement plans. Here is a summary of the plans that have been submitted for your PCN on behalf of your GP Practice.  · Integrated Access Model: South Westminster PCN is setting up a simple, patient-focused way to help people get same-day or next-day care, make sure those with ongoing needs see the same clinicians, and reduce differences between practices.  · Centralised triage via eHub: All requests are managed in one place from 8am to 6:30pm using PATCHS and trained staff, following clear rules for urgent cases and making sure patients who need continuous care are seen by the right team member.  · Digital inclusion and self-service: We are encouraging patients to use the NHS App to make things easier, cut down on phone calls, support people who speak different languages. We are aiming for 10% more patients to use the app by March 2026.  · Workstreams for improvement: We will run a receptionist training programme and ‘continuity of care’ framework (a system to track care for patients who need it most) as well as doing regular checks of our services, and holding patient events and surveys to get feedback.  · Equity-focused design: We are working to reduce health inequalities by communicating in different languages, reaching out to local communities, and working with groups who are often overlooked to make sure our services fit their needs.  · Performance targets: Our main goals are to answer 90% of calls within 10 minutes, reply to 90% of online requests by the next working day, and make sure all clinical work is recorded properly and checked with regular reviews.  · System-wide benefits: These changes should lower paperwork, help staff use their time better, make it easier for patients to get help, boost satisfaction, and keep people out of urgent care by improving primary care services.  Previous Next