GP Registration

General Practitioners (GPs) are usually the first contact for any health issue you may have.

GPs are well-trained in general practice covering physical and mental care for children and adults. Patients usually need to consult a GP before getting referrals to specialists. 

Upon arrival in the UK, the first thing you should do is register with a nearby GP Surgery so as to be covered by the National Health Service (NHS).  

GP surgeries usually only accept registrations from residents inside the practice boundary. For more details: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/

Some surgeries however accept patients outside their coverage areas under certain conditions. 

Please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/registering-with-a-gp-outside-your-area/  to find out more.

Registration 

Step 1: Check the NHS website to find a GP Surgery in your area 

Step 2: Fill in the application form (GMS1) to register as a NHS patient. The form can be downloaded from the NHS website.  Alternatively, you can call or email the GP surgery and ask to be registered.

Note: If you change your address or move to another area, you must notify your original GP surgery and if necessary, register with a new one.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

NHS services, including outpatient, accident and emergency and inpatient, are mostly free. Non-UK citizens, when applying for residence visas, have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in order to access NHS services.

For BNO Visa applicants, IHS is £776 annually for those under 18 and £1035 for adults. In other words, applying for a 5-year BNO visa, those under 18 should pay £3,880 and adults £5,175.

The NHS service 

1. For general problems, you can make an appointment with a GP or change the appointment:

● Through online or mobile app (NHS App Online)

● By phone

● Go to the GP surgery in person

Some GP surgeries provide phone or video call consultation service.  Please check with your GP surgery for details.

Note: For more information regarding GP appointments, please visit GP appointments and bookings；for more video consultation services, please visit Video consultations

Patients can purchase medicine prescribed by the GP at pharmacies designated by them.  Locations of pharmacies are available at the GP surgeries, or can be found at the NHS website. （https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy）

Currently, apart from some free prescription items, most patients in England have to pay for their prescribed medicine via the following means:

Category 1: Pay each item at £9.90 per item;

Category 2: Buy a 3-month prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) which costs £30.25. This saves money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months;

Category 3: Buy a 12-month PPC which costs £114.50 to save money if more than 11 items are needed in 12 months.

Children under 16, full-time students between 16 and 18, seniors aged 60 or above, pregnant women, the disabled, and those hospitalised are automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions.

For more information:  Prescription Prepayment Certificates 

2. Urgent situation – call 999 

Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency, that is when someone is seriously ill or when life is at risk, which can include loss of consciousness, a sudden confused state, chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, severe allergic reactions, severe burns, serious head injury, etc.

Call 999 immediately if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke. Every second counts with these conditions.

When you call 999, the operator will ask details about the situation and make a response plan accordingly. The plan can include calling an ambulance to pick up the patient to the hospital; dispatching medical staff for on-the-spot treatment; and giving diagnosis or treatment via telephone, etc.

3. Urgent medical problem – Call 111, or go to 111.nhs.uk (for people aged 5 and above only)

NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Depending on the situation you will:

● find out what local service can help you

● be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP

● get a face-to-face appointment if you need one

● be given an arrival time if you need to go to A&E – this might mean you spend less time in A&E

● be told how to get any medicine you need

● get self-care advice

4. Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC)

Provide urgent medical attention the situation of which is not life-threatening, such as minor injuries, high fever, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, etc.

UTCs are open at least 12 hours a day, every day.  No appointment is required.

Medical staff on duty can provide treatment for minor injuries and minor illnesses at the centre

To find walk-in UTC centres, visit: 
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Walk-in%20centre/LocationSearch/663

More details about urgent and emergency care services, visit:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/

Interpreting Service

The NHS enables people with different languages to enjoy medical services without barriers. Patients can ask for an interpreter to be present when they see a doctor.

If you need interpreter services, please notify the staff at the time of your appointment and specify the language you want.  The NHS staff would arrange an interpreter to be present, or have an interpreter to translate over the phone.