One
of the biggest concerns of any student on a Study Abroad Programme
is health and safety, and what to do in case of an emergency. This
page covers medical issues, and what kind of assistance is available
to students.
The UK Health System is called the NHS (National Health Service) It
was set up in 1948 and is considered one of the best systems in the
world. All essential medical treatment is free for EU residents
on the NHS. As an American student in the UK you are not covered by
the free treatment offered by the NHS, and you may be asked to pay
a fee after your treatment. This is something that you can claim
back from your travel or medical insurance in the States. If
you are studying here for longer than a semester then you should check
with the person who has arranged your programme, as you may find that
if you are registered with a university you can register with the university
medical centre, or obtain free treatment.
In case of an emergency
In case of an emergency you
should dial 999. 999 gets you though
to the Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade and Coast Guard. If you
feel that your illness warrants going to an emergency department then
you can find your nearest Accident and Emergency Department on http://www.nhs.uk/England/NoAppointmentNeeded/AccidentEmergencySearch.aspx The NHS defines an emergency as follows;
An emergency is a critical or life threatening situation requiring
medical attention, such as:
- Loss of consciousness
- Heavy blood loss
- Suspected broken bones
- Persistent chest pain for 15 minutes or more
- Difficulty breathing
- Overdose, ingestion or poisoning
Doctors
You may come across the terminology GP.
A GP is a General Practitioner, and is normally the only doctor that
you have when you live in the UK. GPs work in the local community and
cover not only general health, but also issues such as birth control,
smoking and obesity. If your GP cannot deal with a problem then they
will refer you to a specialist. Every citizen
in the UK has the right to be registered with a GP. As a foreign visitor
you do not have this right, but many GPs will treat you on a "visitor" basis,
which means that you will be asked to pay for treatment, but will be
entitled to the same treatment as any other person living in the UK.
In order to find your local GP you can refer to the website http://www.nhs.uk/England/Doctors/Default.aspx. We
would suggest that you call your local surgery before you go along,
in order to ascertain if they will charge a consultation fee, or if
they indeed will even agree to give you an appointment.
Walk In Centres
If you are ill but feel that you are
not sick enough to warrant a trip to the ER then your best option is
a Drop In Centre. Most
of the drop-in centres are open 7 days a week, from early morning to
late in the evening, and are staffed by experienced nurses, who are
able to offer advice and treatment for a variety of minor injuries
and illnesses. To find your nearest NHS walk in centre see http://www.nhs.uk/england/noappointmentneeded/walkincentres/nearestsearch.aspx
NHS Direct
NHS Direct is a confidential 24-hour helpline,
staffed by nurses and health professionals. They are able to
offer information on the following;
- What to do if you or a family member feels ill
- Self care for particular health conditions such as coughs and scalds
- Local health services, such as doctors, dentists or out-of-hours
pharmacies
- Self-help or support organisations
- http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ is
a useful website that offers a wealth of advice on any health and
medical concerns that you might have. NHS direct is open 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year. The number for NHS Direct is 0845 46 47
Dentists
In 2006 the dental system changed. Dentists are now managed
by Primary Health Trusts. This does not affect the care that
you will receive, in fact to the contrary. It means prices have
been somewhat reduced. Many dentists are now going private,
and it is difficult to find an NHS dentist who has space on their books
to register you. In order to find your local dentist you should
use http://www.nhs.uk/England/Dentists/NearestSearch.aspx
Pharmacists
Pharmacists, or Chemists, dispense prescriptions and can
give advice on a range of ailments, such as allergies, minor injuries
and skin complaints. You are able to talk to your pharmacist in confidence.
As part of a NHS drive Pharmacists are being used more and more, and
eventually will be able to prescribe basic medications, offer services
such as blood pressure monitoring, and provide a repeat prescription
service. If at any time during your programme you need further information on
health and medical care then please do feel free to contact us, and we
will assist in any way possible.
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