Students & Staff: Login
Students & Staff: Login
The National Health Service (NHS) is a system in the UK where you can receive free hospital treatment and healthcare. Some services are free, and some you will have to pay for. International students (other than European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals) are entitled to have treatment under this service if your course lasts for six months or longer.
For more information about keeping healthy please go to UKCISA website
(EEA) nationals and their family should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before coming to the UK. This will entitle the holder and their family to NHS treatment. For more information click here
The NHS also operates a 24 hour a day telephone advice line for a whole range of medical matters. The telephone number for NHS Direct is 0845 4647.
When you are in a new country, it is sometimes easy to concentrate just on your studies and to forget about taking care of your health. You may find your health affected by change of climate and unfamiliar food. Medicine for ailments such as stomach upsets and colds can be purchased at pharmacies without prescription, but do not hesitate to seek medical advice if you are concerned about your health in any way. You may find yourself feeling lonely and homesick; this is perfectly natural, and people can help you to adjust to being away from your country and your family. Do seek help quickly if you feel you are not coping very well.
The UK has reciprocal arrangements with many countries which entitle their citizens to NHS treatment. This does not apply to pre-existing medical conditions. For more information on reciprocal agreements, go to the following website: UKCISA website or contact the Students’ Union Advice and Information Centre. Anyone who comes with the specific aim of having treatment whilst here may have to pay for private treatment.
In order to qualify for free NHS treatment, you are required to register with a local doctor as soon as possible after your arrival in the UK. There are two doctor's surgeries on the Highfield Campus and many others nearby.
When registering, you will need details of all immunisations you (and your family, if they are accompanying you) have had. A detailed programme of the vaccinations given to babies and children from birth is required so that the Health Professionals here can determine whether children have received all the necessary immunisations required here in the UK.
If you need to see your doctor you can make an appointment by phone, or in person. If you are too ill to go to the surgery, a doctor may visit you at home, but you will need to arrange this with the surgery.
For further information on keeping healthy, visit the UKCISA website. Local health information can be found on the Southampton NHS and Winchester NHS websites.
Dialing 999 can be used to summon assistance from the three main emergency services, Police, Fire and Rescue and Ambulance. Phone calls to the 999 service are free. In the case of accident or illness needing immediate hospital treatment, the patient should be taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of your local hospital.
For more information about how to deal with a medical emergency visit the UKCISA website
If you do have to go into hospital, you may be asked how long you are staying in the UK in order to establish whether you are entitled to free treatment.
Certain medicines, such as antibiotics, cannot be obtained without a prescription from a doctor. The prescription should be taken to a pharmacy or a chemist to collect the medicine. Each item on prescription currently costs £7.20 (April 2011 rates) – you may be entitled to some assistance with the cost if you are on a low income (see below).
Children under 16 are entitled to free prescriptions. If you are not entitled to assisted costs and have to take a lot of medicines you may be able to purchase a pre-payment certificate for 3 or 12 months, which will reduce the costs significantly.
When you visit a dentist you should ask whether they will accept you as an NHS patient. Many dentists in the UK now only accept private patients. Even if you are treated under the NHS there will be a charge, but again you may be entitled to some assistance with the cost if you are on a low income (see below).
The NHS provide a tool to locate your local dentist.
To get an eye test, spectacles or any other eye treatment, you will need to see an optician. The cost of an eye test is normally around £ 20.00, although the cost of the test may be free if you purchase glasses and/or contact lenses at the same time. The cost of frames and lenses varies widely. There are many opticians in Southampton, so it is worth shopping around to see where you can get the best deal.
You may be able to get some assistance with the Cost of Medicines, Dental and Optical Treatment if you are on a low income. To see if you qualify for any help, you should complete form HC1 (available from The Advice Centre). You may get some help with the costs or you may not have to pay anything at all. If you buy any medicines, or have any treatment at all before you apply for assistance you should keep the receipt, as you may be able to claim the money back on form HC5, if you are eligible.
Free contraception is available from your doctor, and from Family Planning clinics. Students can collect free condoms from the Students' Union Sabbatical Officers (located in Building 42 of The Union). Condoms can be purchased from pharmacies, supermarkets, and from machines in the Students' Union. For more information about family planning clinics, pick up a leaflet from the Students' Union Advice and Information Centre, or speak to your doctor.
