using-health-services-in-the-uk.pdf

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International Support Services GuideUsing health services in the UK

www.nottingham.ac.uk/internationalstudents/support


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International Support Services Guide

The National Health Service (NHS) is the UKsstate health service which provides treatmentor UK residents through a range o healthcareacilities. This lealet aims to provide details oyour entitlement to NHS treatment, the dierentservices the NHS oers in Nottingham and how touse them.

Before you travel to the UK - vaccinations andTB testing

The local Health Protection Agency recommendsthat all new students obtain vaccination againstmeningococcal meningitis C-strain. They alsorecommend that students under 25 who have nothad mumps or two measles, mumps and rubella(MMR) vaccinations receive an MMR booster.These vaccinations should be arranged beoreleaving your home country wherever possible.It is also useul i you can bring a record o yourvaccinations to the UK with you.

Nationals rom some countries applying to cometo the UK or more than six months will have toproduce a certiicate showing that they are reerom inectious tuberculosis (TB) beore a visaapplication will be considered. TB screeningwill be phased in or a number o countries romNovember 2012. For more inormation, see the UKBorder Agency website.www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/general-info/applying

Please note that some medicines availableelsewhere in the world may not be available in theUK, or they maybe more strictly controlled than

elsewhere. This particularly applies to medicinesused to treat mental health problems, and it isrecommended that patients bring at least a threemonth supply to the UK. In addition, you shouldvisit the Health Centre shortly ater your arrivalto discuss obtaining urther supplies o yourmedication.

Staying in the UK for more than six months

I you are registered on a course o longer thansix months, you are entitled to NHS treatmentin the UK rom the beginning o your stay. Thismeans that you can have ree consultations witha General Practitioner (GP) and at a hospital andree amily planning and contraceptive treatment.Dental treatment, eye care and prescriptions aresubsidised but not ree under the NHS.

I you have a spouse/partner or children under 16or in ull-time education and under 19 living with

you as dependants, they are also entitled to reeNHS treatment.

Staying in the UK for less than six months

I you are in the UK or less than six months as astudent or visitor, you are not entitled to ree NHStreatment. A GP may agree to treat you or ree iyou have an urgent medical problem and you canhave ree emergency treatment in the Accidentand Emergency (A&E) department o a hospital,

but you will have to pay or any other treatment asa private patient. As this can prove expensive it isessential or you to take out medical insurance orensure that you have medical cover as part o a

The information provided in this guide is correct at the time of publication(March 2013) however it is subject to change without notice. For the mostup-to-date information, please check the online version of this guide atwww.nottingham.ac.uk/internationalstudents/support

Using health services in the UK


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travel insurance package instead. Some countrieshave reciprocal health care agreements with theUK, which may mean nationals o those countriesare eligible or some NHS treatment even thoughthey are here or less than six months. For moredetails see www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/

accommodation_health.php

EEA students

Nationals rom Switzerland and the EuropeanEconomic Area (EEA) coming to the UK areentitled to ree NHS treatment. For stays o lessthan six months, students should carry a EuropeanHealth Insurance Card (EHIC) to enable them toregister or NHS services. It is advisable that orstays o longer than six months, EEA nationals alsoobtain an EHIC.

Medical insurance

It is essential to have medical insurance or travelinsurance that covers medical needs i you arehere or less than 6 months.

I you are entitled to NHS healthcare, it isntessential or you to have insurance as well.However, there are sometimes waiting times orsome NHS services and you may ind that havingan insurance policy would enable you to getprivate treatment more quickly.

You may ind that you cannot obtain assessmentor treatment under the NHS i you are sueringrom a pre-existing condition (prior to coming tothe UK) whether apparent or non-apparant, inwhich case you need to seriously consider privatemedical insurance. I you choose to take outmedical insurance, you should plan to purchasethis in your home country beore you travel to theUK.

I you plan to visit Europe during your stay here,it is important that you take out suitable travelinsurance because you will not be entitled tomedical treatment there even i you are registeredwith the NHS in the UK.

Finding local NHS services and regsisteringwith a GP (doctor)

You can ind your nearest GP, dentist, optician orpharmacy by searching online at www.nhs.uk.

To register with any GP, dentist or optician, youwill need to take evidence o your address in theUK, your passport and a conirmation letter romthe University to show that you are a student. Youwill be asked to ill in some orms with personaldetails about yoursel and your medical history,then there will be a basic consultation.

For a GP, you should normally register with thesurgery that is closest to where you live. I theyare ull however, they will give you details o otherlocal surgeries you could use.

Cripps Health Centre is the campus surgery andis located on the University Park Campus. TheDerby Road Health Centre is at 336 Derby Roadand the Lenton Medical Centre is at 266 DerbyRoad. In Beeston the Abbey Medical Centre is at63 Central Avenue and The Manor Surgery is onMiddle Street.

GPs (Doctors)

A GP works in a surgery or medical centre andoers a wide range o services including adviceon any illness, examinations, prescriptions, minoroperations and contraceptive treatment and healthscreening. Your GP will reer you to anotherservice or specialist i necessary. In the UK, youare only able to see a consultant in a hospital iyou have been reerred there by your GP.

Visits to any GP are ree, and although you canspeciy the person you would like to see, it is usualto register with a surgery and see any doctoravailable. You must make an appointment inadvance.



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GP out-of-hours services

I you or your amily need urgent medical carewhen your GP surgery is closed, but its not anemergency:

1. Check the NHS direct website orinormation at www.nhsdirect.nhs.ukortelephone 111 and a qualiied health advisorwill assess your medical needs and decidewhether you should be seen by a healthproessional at:

a pharmacy;

a walk-in centre;

a dentist; or reerred to:

a GP out o hours service; a community nurse service or

a hospital Accident and EmergencyDepartment.

Where possible, the NHS 111 team will bookyou an appointment or transer you directly to thepeople you need to speak to.

2. Following contact with the emergency GPout-o-hours services, your own GP will be

told what has happened as soon as yoursurgery re-opens

Alternatively you can also visit the NHS Walk-inCentre directly or ask your local pharmacy oradvice, please read on or urther inormation onthose services.

Dentists

Dentists oer regular check-ups on teeth and

gums and oer treatment o damaged or decayingteeth. Dentists provide NHS and private treatment,but only take a limited number o NHS patients.You should check i your dentist will accept youas an NHS patient as this will be less costly, butNHS dental treatment isnt actually ree unless youhold a valid payment exemption certiicate. Onceyou have registered initially as an NHS patient,you usually have to re-register each year or attenda check-up at least every 15 months in order toqualiy or NHS care.

I you are not registered with a dentist you cansometimes still receive essential NHS treatmentin an emergency. Not all NHS dentists oer thisservice.

There is a Dental Centre at Cripps Health Centre

on University Park. Close by there is also theDerby Road Dental Practice at 278 Derby Roadand the Peveril Road Dental Practice at 1A PeverilRoad in Beeston.

Opticians

Opticians test your sight and examine the health oyour eyes. They can also recognise diseases andit and supply glasses and contact lenses. You arenot entitled to ree eye tests under the NHS andwill have to pay a ixed minimum charge. I your eyetest indicates that you need glasses, the opticianwill give you a prescription and you can buy thecorrect lenses and rames rom any optician. I youqualiy or help with healthcare costs, you may beentitled to a ree eye check and to a voucher orpart o the cost o a prescription.

There are a number o opticians in the centre oNottingham. In Lenton PD Rees Ltd is located at357C Derby Road and in Beeston Specsavers islocated at 4A The Square and Vision Express islocated at 64 High Road.

Pharmacies (Chemists)

Pharmacists in the UK dispense medicinesthat your GP prescribes. You can take yourprescription to any pharmacy and receive themedicine immediately or ater a short wait. Thecost o a prescription is currently 7.85 permedicine.

Pharmacists also oer advice on minor ailments,pregnancy testing and emergency contraception.I you have a minor condition, it is oten quicker toseek advice rom pharmacy sta instead o seeinga GP.

There is a pharmacy on University Park campus atthe Cripps Health Centre. In Lenton the nearestpharmacy is Burrows and Close at 334 DerbyRoad and in Beeston there is a Boots Pharmacy at31 High Road and Manor Pharmacy at 24 ChilwellRoad.


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Hospitals - emergencies and referrals

You should go to a hospital i you have a criticalor lie-threatening situation requiring medicalattention, or example, loss o consciousness,broken bones or heavy blood loss. The nearest

Accident and Emergency Unit to the University(A&E) is at the Queens Medical Centre on DerbyRoad. Remember: A&E should only be used oremergencies. For urgent but none critical care,reer to the earlier section on the GP out o hoursservice.

I you cannot travel to the hospital and it is anemergency, you should call 999. Also, or certainconditions your GP may reer you to a consultantwho is based in a hospital.

NHS Direct phone and web service

You will be able to get advice rom a qualiiedhealth advisor and inormation on any medicalcondition by calling NHS Direct on 111. They willassess your medical needs and decide whetheryou should be seen by a health proessional andwhere you can get help. You can also access thisservice at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

NHS Walk-in Centres

These centres oer ast and convenientinormation, advice and treatment o minorillnesses and injuries without you having to makean appointment. They also have longer openinghours than ordinary GP surgeries. There is noneed to register with a centre speciically i you arealready registered with the NHS.

NHS Walk-in Centres are located at:

NHS Nottingham City Health Centre (8am-8pm)79a Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG16LD. Phone 0115 883 1960

NHS Nottingham Walk-In Centre (7am-9pm)Seaton House, London Road, Nottingham, NG24LA. Phone 0115 883 8500

You can phone ahead or waiting times or to makean appointment or certain services.

Financial help with healthcare costs

You can apply or help with the cost oprescriptions, dental and eye treatment by illingin orm HC1 which is available rom any surgeryor by calling 08701 555 455. When your orm is

processed, it will be decided i you qualiy or a ullor partial exemption rom charges and you will besent the appropriate certiicate. The certiicatesare usually valid or the length o an academic yearand you should apply to renew each year.

I you do not have an exemption certiicate andhave already paid a charge or healthcare costs,you may be able to claim a reund by illing in ormHC5 available as above.

Contraception

A GP can help you to choose the best methodo contraception or you. You can go to a GP todiscuss contraception on your own, with yourpartner or with a riend. As well as preventingunwanted pregnancy, some orms o contraceptionalso protect you rom sexually transmittedinections. Some orms o contraception such asthe pill (a daily contraceptive tablet) are ree underthe NHS, and you can get ree condoms roman NHS walk-in centre. It is also possible to getemergency contraception tablets that you can takeup to 72 hours ater unprotected sex rom yourGP or rom some pharmacies. In the UK, it is notconsidered acceptable to use abortion as a ormo contraception.

Sexual health

You can consult your GP about conditionssuch as thrush or cystitis that may relate to yoursexual health, or see a pharmacist or medicationthat you can buy without a prescription. I youare concerned about a sexually transmittedinection you can seek non-judgmental adviceand appropriate testing rom either your GP or aconsultant at an NHS Sexual Health Clinic (GUMedicine) at the City Hospital. Telephone 0115962 7912 to speak to a Health Advisor and 0115962 7744 or the main reception/appointmentdesk.


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Health telephone helplines

Free National AIDS Helpline, 0800 567 123 Free 24-hour Meningitis Helpline, 0808 800

3344 Free National Drugs Helpline, 0800 776 000 Alcohol Concern, 0800 917 8282 University o Nottingham Counselling

Service, 0115 951 3695 University o Nottingham Nightline (7pm-

8am) 0115 951 4985

Cripps Health Centre

The University o Nottingham Health Service isconveniently situated in Cripps Health Centreon the main University Campus. The practicespecialises in looking ater students and sta atthe University and their amilies. In the buildingthere is also a dental practice, the UniversityOccupational Health Unit and a Boots Pharmacy.The Health Centre is ully accessible or patientswith disabilities. There is a ramp access to themain door, a lit to the ground loor and there is amarked parking space in the car park.

The Health Centre is open Monday-Friday,8.00 am6.00pm and the telephone number is0115846 8888.

For more inormation on Cripps Health Centre,please visit their website at www.unhs.co.uk


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Were here to help, get in touch:

We run a regular drop-in service at theInternational Oce on Jubilee Campus between1-4pm, Monday - Friday throughout the academicyear. I you are submitting a visa application oryoursel and your dependants, please make anappointment by calling +44 (0)115 951 5247.

You can also make an appointment to speak toan advisor on University Park Campus. We oer aterm-time appointment service between 2-4:20pmat the Student Services Centre. Appointmentscan be booked in person at the Student ServicesCentre in the Portland Building, or by telephone on+44 (0)115 951 3710.

To see an advisor on the Sutton BoningtonCampus, please call the Student Services Centreon +44 (0)115 9516004 to make an appointment.

The International Oce is located at:C Floor, YANG Fujia BuildingJubilee CampusWollaton RoadThe University o NottinghamNG8 1BB

t: +44 (0)115 951 5247: +44 (0)115 951 5155

e: [email protected]

We are always looking or ways to developand improve our support service and welcomeeedback rom sta and students.

The inormation in this leafet is given in goodaith and correct at the time o writing. It hasbeen careully checked with UKCISA and the UKBorder Agency, but The University o Nottingham

accepts no responsibility or the accuracy o theinormation.

I you would like any urther inormation orassistance, please contact the InternationalSupport Services Team. The advisors, RosemaryGibson, Hong Sun, Ruth Hudson, MelanieBentham-Hill and Deborah Webb, are authorisedto provide immigration advice and services byan order made under Section 84 (4) (d) o theImmigration and Asylum Act 1999.

I at any time you are not happy with the adviceyou have been given by the International SupportServices Team, in the rst instance you shouldraise this with the Head o the InternationalSupport Services Team or the Director o theInternational Oce. I the matter is not resolved oryou are still unhappy, you can make a complaintto the OISC (Oce o the Immigration ServicesCommissioner) via their website www.oisc.gov.uk


If you require this publication in an alternative

format, please contact us:

t: +44 (0)115 951 4591e: [email protected]


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The International OfficeJubilee CampusThe University o NottinghamWollaton RoadNottinghamNG8 1BB, UK

t: +44 (0)115 951 5247: +44 (0)115 951 5155w: www.nottingham.ac.uk/international

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