The National Health Service (NHS) is a state-run health service providing free healthcare to eligible UK residents. It does not provide free dental or optical care. Most people have to pay a standard charge for medicine that a doctor prescribes.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible for NHS care if:
- you are a UK student
- you are an EU/EEA student
- you are a non EU/EEA student enrolled on a course of study for six months or more
- you are a non EU/EAA student from a country with a reciprocal arrangement with the UK
Visit the Department of Health website for more details about NHS eligibility.
If you are eligible for healthcare, you will need to register with a local doctor/general practitioner (GP) in the area that you live.
Find a Doctor
If you are new to London, it is important that you register with a General Practitioner (GP) doctor as soon as possible, so that you have easy access to healthcare when you need it.
The University has taken the time to find the best GP practices for our students, taking into account location, patient satisfaction and CQC ratings (Care Quality Commission).
To register with one of the below GPs, select the surgery nearest to your accommodation, and find the registration instructions on the website. GP surgeries generally only accept new patients who live in a specified "catchment area", so do check this before trying to register.
Crawford Street Surgery
95-97 Crawford Street
London W1H 2HJ
T: 0207 723 6324
W: crawfordstreetsurgery.co.uk
How to register
Fill in both forms below and email them to Crawford Street Surgery: [email protected]. It can take up to seven working days to process your registration as long as the information given is correct and sufficient. (Please use your new student accommodation address when filling out the address section)
Gower Street Practice
20 Gower Street
London WC1E 6DP
T: 020 7467 6800
W: gowerstreetpractice.org.uk
How to register
Students at colleges close to the practice can register online.
Alternatively, you can download and complete the forms below and hand them into the practice. You can also email them to [email protected].
Kenton Bridge Medical Centre
Dr Raja
155-175 Kenton Road
Kenton
Harrow
Middlesex
HA3 0YX
T: 020 8907 6989
W: kbmc.org.uk/new-patients/gms1-new-patients
How to register
- Fill in and submit the new patients registration form (GMS1 purple form) on the practice website. Use your new student accommodation address when filling out the address section
- Download the Practice Registration Questionnaire on the Kenton Bridge Medical Centre website
- Fill in and email the questionnaire along with a photo ID and a proof of address to [email protected]
Your registration will take approximately seven working days to complete, providing all your registration forms and identification documents have been submitted correctly.
Proof of ID:
- Current passport
- EEA member state identity card
- Current UK or EEA photo card driving licence
Proof of address:
Bank, building society or Credit Union statement issued within the last three months.
Students will also be advised to use their accommodation contracts as another proof of address.
The Uni Doctor
Wembley Centre for Health & Care
116 Chaplin Road
Wembley HA0 4UZ
T: 0203 728 2551
W: theunidoctor.com
How to register
Please complete an online registration form.
The Uni Doctor
Wembley Centre for Health & Care
116 Chaplin Road
Wembley HA0 4UZ
T: 0203 728 2551
W: theunidoctor.com
How to register
Please complete an online registration form.
Hazeldene Medical Centre
1b Wyld Way
Wembley
Middlesex
HA9 6PW
T: 020 8902 4792
W: nhsgp.net/students
How to register
You can register on the NHSGP website. Follow the on-screen instructions and use your new student accommodation address when filling out the address section.
The Lawson Practice
St Leonards
85 Nuttall Street
London
N1 5HZ
T: 0203 538 6044
W: lawsonpractice.nhs.uk
The Hoxton Surgery
12 Rushton Street
London
N1 5DR
T: 0203 487 0200
W: hoxtonsurgery.nhs.uk
Or you can use the NHS Find GP Services tool to find the nearest practice to you.
You can also check out the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services that are close to where you live:
How does it work?
You will need to contact the GP of your choice to see if they are accepting new patients. You will then be asked to go to the clinic to register. You will be asked to take some documents (eg proof of residency, the course you are enrolled on, your student ID or your passport). You will be asked to fill in a form about you and your health history. A simple check-up will be arranged with a nurse.
What are the benefits?
Registration entitles you to:
- free consultation with your GP
- free hospital treatment in Accident and Emergency (A&E), Minor Injuries & Walk-in Units
- free hospital treatment with a specialist or consultant, if recommended by your GP
- free contraception and sexual health services
- free maternity services
Getting an appointment with a hospital specialist can take many weeks, even if your GP has referred you. Many people in the UK choose to take out private medical insurance so they can be seen more quickly, but this can be expensive.
Medications and prescriptions
If you have a long-standing health problem, or require regular prescription medicine, please ensure you have a summary of your medical condition and needs from your previous doctor. For students who are joining the University from abroad, you need to be aware that some medicines are different in the UK, or may not be regularly prescribed for certain conditions. Register with a doctor as soon as possible after your arrival for help and advice.
If you need help with prescription costs, visit the NHS website.
Vaccinations
One part of ensuring that you are safe when moving into halls (or joining university) means knowing that you are vaccinated for the most common infections that students get.
The Department of Health recommends that vaccinations are kept up to date.
Your current GP can tell you which vaccinations you have already had and if you should update any.
Find out how to protect yourself from infections during your studies, including what symptoms to look out for and where to get help and advice.
Travelling and health
If you go on holiday within the UK, you are eligible for treatment anywhere. Make sure you take your NHS card or number with you. In an emergency you can see a GP anywhere – or visit the local A&E, Minor Injuries or Walk-in Unit.
If you go travelling within the European Union (EU), you may be eligible for free medical treatment, but you must first obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It is free and allows you to access medical help at a reduced cost while you’re travelling abroad. The easiest way to apply is online, by visiting the NHS healthcare abroad webpages. Student Health Services also provide registration forms for the EHIC card.
Note that you cannot apply for an EHIC until you have registered on the NHS. If you are not entitled to the EHIC, ensure you take out private health insurance before travelling.
If you go travelling outside the EU/EEA, visit the Department of Health website to check whether the country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK. If there is no reciprocal arrangement, you must take out private health insurance. Extreme sports (eg bungee jumping, tomb-stoning) and many snow or water sports require additional insurance.
Emergencies
If there's an emergency on campus, call 5555 from a Campus landline or 02079115000 ext 5555 from your mobile (it's a good idea to have this number saved) to alert a first-aider.
If you're off campus, the emergency number in the UK is 999.
For more information on campus and off-campus emergencies, see our Emergencies page.