5 top tips for migrants to get good NHS care
MyHSN welcomes to the UK. We are very pleased to meet you and provide good quality healthcare for you and family. In the UK most aspects of healthcare is free.
The NHS (or National Health Service) is the UK’s healthcare system. It covers most aspects of healthcare, including GP, womens’ and childrens’ services, hospitals, dentistry and opticians.
Here are 5 top tips for migrants to get good NHS care.
These are the two most important things to do. Do them first
1. Register with a GP
It is your right to have a GP and access the NHS in the UK
2. Get a NHS number
Then, and in this order
3. Find out where your local health services are, especially:
- Local family doctor (called a GP or General Practitioner). Get their phone number. If you want an appointment ring when they open (usually 8am). First come, first served. Be prepared to wait
- Walk-in or Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) or Minor Illness/Injury Units (MIUs). These are usually open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week – with no appointment required. You can see a doctor there. They are a good place to go, especially for migrants. Google them with the name of where you live to find your nearest one. They are a good place to go out of hours (early evening, weekends and bank holidays)
- Nearest local small(er) hospital
- Nearest regional big(ger) hospital. This will usually be in the nearest large city to you, or you may be living in that city. You may need to attend both for different services
- Local mental health services – especially Talking Therapist/IAPT (NHS counsellor)
- Nearest pharmacist – and how to get a prescription (for medication) from your GP and take it to a pharmacist. There will usually be one walking distance form your home.
£1.6m people in the UK go to a pharmacist every day. They are a very good place to start for advice. And you can walk to one locally. The larger ones (e.g. Boots) are open 7 days a week.
Pharmacists are now often linked to GPs by computer systems. Therefore, as long as you are registered with a GP, you can pick the tablets up at a named pharmacist of your choice (i.e. without taking a piece of paper there).
Nearest PALS department (in nearest hospital). They can chase things not happening properly in your hospital(s) for you – or deal with complaints. It is your right to complain if you have a valid concern.
When to ring NHS111. This is an NHS phone number where you can get advice. You can ask for an interpreter.
4. Use interpreter services. This is quite easy. Something called ‘Language Line’ is available in most of the UK. Just ask for it. You don’t need to prebook it.
5. Ring 999 for an ambulance (and/or go to A&E) – if you are very unwell, and think need urgent care today. You will need to know the postcode of where you live, so the ambulance knows where to come to.
Summary
We have described 5 top tips for migrants to get good NHS care. We hope you understand the NHS better now.
Other resources
https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Safe-Surgeries_-QIP-Guide-for-Trainers.pdf
https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/asset-library/imported/2022-04-28-how-the-nhs-works-infographic-english.pdf
These are poster-like summaries of NHS care for migrants.
