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If your course is 6 months or longer in duration, you will automatically qualify for free National Health Service (NHS) treatment, from the beginning of your stay.

However, some follow-up emergency treatment may not necessarily be free and so it is up to you to decide whether or not to take out separate health/medical insurance. If your course lasts shorter than 6 months, you are not automatically eligible for NHS treatment and so you are advised to take out separate health/medical insurance.

When you arrive at Trinity Laban, you should register with a doctor as soon as possible. Do not wait until you are ill. In order to register with a doctor you will need to present:

  • your passport;
  • evidence that you are a student, which you can obtain this from the Registry department once you have enrolled; and
  • proof of your UK address, which can be in the form of your tenancy agreement.

View a list of your local services or check the NHS Choices website.

Doctors/GP Services

  • Treatment of minor illnesses and injuries including infections and rashes, stomachaches, vomitting, diarrhoea, hay fever, insect and animal bites
  • New patient check-ups
  • Contraceptive services
  • Family planning advice
  • Help with Sexual Health
  • Travel Health including immunisations
  • Vaccinations
  • Blood tests
  • Test results
  • Diabetic clinic
  • Antenatal & postnatal care
  • Women’s Health
  • Men’s Health
  • Mother and baby care
  • Stop smoking service
  • Asthma/chest clinic
  • Help with drug and alcohol problems
  • Practice Nurses can treat minor injuries, wounds, minor burns and stitch removal
  • Minor surgery

Under the NHS, you will be asked to pay something towards the cost of prescriptions. Prescribed medicines and other medicines can be bought from pharmacies. In some cases, the medicine prescribed by the doctor may be available without a prescription from the pharmacy for less than the standard prescription charge, so always check first with the pharmacist.

You are, however, automatically entitled to free prescriptions if you are under 19 and studying full-time, if you are pregnant, or if you have had a baby within the last 12 months.

Pharmacy Services

  • Prescription services
  • Medicine service
  • Flu vaccinations
  • Chlamydia/allergy screenings and treatment
  • Health checks including: blood pressure, cholesterol or blood glucose testing
  • Emergency contraception (free for 14-20 year olds via the NHS)
  • Pregnancy testing
  • Stop smoking services
  • Treatment of minor ailments including: bugs and viruses, minor injuries, stomach problems, women’s/men’s health, skin conditions, allergies and children’s problems
  • Health check
  • Advice on minor ailments
  • A wide range of products including: bandages, tape, plasters, pain relief, over-the-counter painkillers, toiletries
  • Large supermarkets also provide Pharmacy counters

For products such as bandages, tape, painkillers and toiletries, supermarkets provide cheaper alternatives to Pharmacies.

Hospitals

Casualty treatment in a hospital following an accident is provided free, but not all hospitals provide this kind of service. Hospitals also provide specialist treatment, and treatment for which any kind of extended stay is necessary. You doctor will refer you if it is necessary.

Dentists

You should have your teeth checked by a dentist at least once a year. You need to be registered with a doctor in order to qualify for NHS dental treatment, otherwise you will have to pay the full cost. Check first whether the dentist accepts NHS patients, as some dentists will only take private (paying) patients. Once accepted, you will need to give the dentist the NHS number on your medical card. There is a charge for all dental treatment. Please be aware there are long waiting lists for treatment on the NHS, it is advisable to register as soon as you are enrolled as a student.

NHS Low Income Scheme

If you have a low income, it is possible to apply for financial help with NHS costs through the Low Income Scheme by completing a HC1 form.

The scheme covers:

Read more and order the HC1 form from the NHS Low Income Scheme pages.

Follow the following links for more information:

Sexual Health (GUM) Clinics

  • Testing and treatment for for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Advice and information about sexual health
  • Free condoms
  • Contraception, including emergency contraception such as the morning-after pill
  • Pregnancy testing
  • HIV testing

Brook provides free advice for under 25s.

Emergency Services

NHS 111 is a service that is being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services in England. You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help, whatever the time. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.

Call 111 if:

  • you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency;
  • you think you need to go to Accident & Emergency or need another NHS urgent care service;
  • you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call; or
  • you need health information or reassurance about what to do next.

For less urgent health needs, contact your GP/Doctor, your local Pharmacy or visit a NHS Walk-in centre.

If a health professional has given you a specific phone number to call when you are concerned about your condition, continue to use that number.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies call 999.