Diseases and Health matters are not to be taken lightly as health
is wealth. The UK is a healthy place to live and the health care system is
quite robust. However, as an international student you must understand how the UK Health care
system works. It has a nationally funded
Service – called the NHS
1) National Health
Service(NHS)
All international students and their dependents studying on
a course of more than six months are entitled to a free health care in the UK.
The NHS is the shared name of three of the four publicly
funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. The systems are primarily
funded through general taxation rather than requiring insurance payments, and
were founded in 1948. They provide a comprehensive range of health services,
the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the
United Kingdom.
All international students and their dependents studying on
a course of less than 6 months are not
entitled to a free health care except in the case of an emergency. However,
students from countries that have a reciprocal health care agreement with the
UK are entitled to free health care irrespective of the length of their
studies.
Countries with reciprocal arrangements/ EU countries are:
Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan , Anguilla, Australia, Belgium Bulgaria Barbados,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Channel
Islands Croatia, Denmark , Estonia, Finland, France, Falkland Islands, Germany,
Greece, Georgia, Gibraltar, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Iceland, Isle of Man,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg , Liechtenstsein, Malta,
Moldova, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic , Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Serbia, St Helena,
Tajikstan, Turkmenistan, Turks & Caicos Islands, Uzbekistan , and Ukraine
If your course is less than six months and you are an
international student from a non-EEA country,
and your country does not participate in the reciprocal health
agreement, it is advisable to have adequate health insurance for the duration
of your stay as a student because private health treatment can be very very
expensive.
2) You must Register
with a Doctor( GP)
To access the National Health Service first you have to
register with a Doctor also known as a General practitioner (GP) when you
arrive. Usually you would be told at the UK Border once you are granted leave
to enter the Country. Registering with a doctor is pretty straight forward and
not difficult. You can find the GP practice nearest to you by using the NHS
Choices website or you can visit
www.nhs.uk
When you go to register with a GP it is a good idea to take your student id card
along with proof of where you live. You
will be asked to fill in some forms. Once your have registered with a Doctor
you will be sent an NHS card. This is
your proof that you are registered for NHS treatment. Keep your card in a safe
place and take it with you if you visit your Doctor( GP). It can sometimes take several months for your
card to arrive.
3) Who is a Qualified General Practitioner
The General Practitioner
is a general Doctor who has specialized in family health. He or she is therefore qualified to see
anyone from small babies to the elderly.
They are used to seeing patients with different health problems
including skin disorders, gynaecological problems and contraception. Whatever health problem you have, the GP is
usually the first Doctor you consult. If
you have a complicated problem or an illness that requires specialist advice,
the GP will refer you to the appropriate Doctor or specialist. To get an appointment with a specialist can
take many weeks. You may be able to be
seen more quickly if you pay for private treatment (which can be expensive).
4) Your GP entitlements as an International Student
As an international student registered with a GP you are
entitled to Free consultation with your Doctor (General Practitioner) and Free
hospital treatment in the event of an Accident and Emergency. You are also
entitled to Free contraceptive services and free maternity care. You may also
be entitled to Free hospital treatment if your Doctor recommends it.
Note that as an international student you will have to pay
for any medication the Doctor prescribes for you. Alternatively, you may take
your prescriptions to Pharmacy and buy the drugs from them.
5) Meningitis C and tetanus immunisation is Important
The meningitis C vaccine has been offered in the UK to
everyone under 18 years old since 1999. Currently all students receive the
meningitis C vaccinations before the beginning of the academic year. You should be able to get the vaccination
free of charge at the university.
Any student entering higher education for the first time
should have been vaccinated against meningitis C, ideally before coming to the
University. This applies to all
freshers, regardless of age. If you have not already been immunised before
arrival, this can be done by your college doctor at the Students Medical
Registration Centre.
In the UK all young people are offered a BCG at aged approx.
14, and diptheria, tetanus and polio booster at aged 16. These are usually
given at school. It is a good idea to check that you have also had these
immunisations before coming to the UK.
For more information on vaccines and immunisation schedules
check out the NHS immunisation website at www.nhs.uk.
Source: National Health
Service(NHS)
