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It is important to remember to look after yourself when you are in the UK and to find out how to obtain medical treatment.
The National Health Service (NHS) is the healthcare system in the UK and is primarily funded through general taxation rather than requiring insurance payments. Some NHS services are free at the point of delivery, others you need to pay for.
Medical insurance
We highly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance.
If you are studying in the UK for less than 6 months on a Standard Visitor Visa, you will need to obtain medical insurance as you’ll be liable for any NHS health services that you use.
Although you cannot register with a doctor, you can visit one as a temporary patient if required.
The type of healthcare you are entitled to will depend on the terms of your individual private health insurance policy, so it is important that you fully understand what range of healthcare it offers.
EU nationals with pre-settled/settled status
If you are an EU national with pre-settled/settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you will have free access the National Health Service (NHS). Your proof of pre-settled/settled status is proof of your right to access the NHS and you may only be able to register with a GP as a temporary patient.
How to access medical care in the UK
The nearest medical practice to UCL is the Ridgmount Practice:
8 Ridgmount Street
London, WC1E 7AA
Tel: 020 7387 6306
https://www.ridgmountpractice.nhs.uk
While you cannot register with the practice as a regular patient, you can visit them as a temporary patient if required.
If you experience any difficulties being seen as a temporary patient, please contact the UCL Summer School office on +44 (0)20 7679 5522 or at summer@ucl.ac.uk and we can liaise with Ridgmount Practice reception to ensure it all goes smoothly.
Pharmacies
If you are suffering from a common health problem (for example, a cold), you can visit a local pharmacy and speak confidentially to a pharmacist.
The pharmacist can provide general advice on health issues and suitable medication.
You can find your nearest pharmacy on the NHS website.
NHS 111
111 is the NHS non-emergency telephone number which provides immediate assistance from highly trained advisors. They will ask you a series of questions about your symptoms, provide medical advice and direct you to the most appropriate medical care.
The NHS 111 phone line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
Medical emergencies
In a medical emergency, you should call 999 (UK emergency services) and provide the operator with details of your situation. If you need urgent medical attention, an ambulance will be dispatched to take you to a hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.
If you need urgent medical attention but are well enough to travel, you should make your own way to a hospital A&E department. You can find your nearest A&E department on the NHS website.
The nearest A&E to UCL is University College Hospital.
Pre-existing medical conditions
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, it is strongly recommended that you ask your current doctor to write a letter explaining these and any medication you are receiving. If needed, you can then pass this letter on to a GP in the UK as this will help ensure consistency in your treatment.
We recommend that you inform your doctor at home that you will be coming to study in the UK and discuss any matters related to medication and access to this during your time here with them.
Prescriptions
There is no guarantee that you will be able to get the same medication in the UK as prescribed to you in your home country. You are advised to bring with you sufficient supplies for the duration of the programme.
If you do need to refill your prescription while you are in the UK, please note that to get medication in the UK, you need to be assessed by a doctor. It is a good idea to bring your current prescription and/or a note from your doctor (with an English translation if necessary) to help with this process.