Medical information
Emergency treatment
In the event of an emergency, dial 999 for an ambulance.
If you become ill while visiting Britain, you are eligible for free emergency treatment in the Accident and Emergency departments of National Health Service hospitals. However, if you are admitted to hospital as an in-patient, even from the accident and emergency department, or referred to an out-patient clinic, you will be asked to pay unless:
- You are in receipt of a UK state retirement pension.
- You are a national or resident of the European Economic Area.
- You are a refugee or stateless person living in the European Economic Area or the dependant or survivor of such a person, regardless of your own nationality.
- You are a national or resident of countries which have reciprocal health care agreements with the UK. The following countries have such agreements in place: Bulgaria, Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary, Malta, New Zealand, Russia, former Soviet Union states - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, former Yugoslavia - Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, and residents of Anguilla, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Channel Islands, Falkland Islands, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Poland, Romania, St Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Exemption from charges applies only to treatment needed during the visit. You are strongly advised to take out adequate insurance before travelling to Britain. Your travel agent will be able to suggest a suitable policy.
Obtaining treatment
If you are unwell during your visit to Britain, first consult a pharmacist – also known as chemists. They will advise on treatments available over-the-counter (for example: available without a doctor's prescription). Chains of pharmacists include Boots and Superdrug.
Medicentres
Medicentres are walk-in private medical centres based in London. No appointment is necessary and you will normally be seen within 20 minutes. New and repeat prescriptions may be issued. For general enquiries telephone +44 (0)870 6000870. Medicentre locations are as follows:
Victoria railway station
(Adjacent to Platform 15)
London SW1V 1JT
Open Monday-Friday 08:00-20:00, Saturday, Sunday 10:00-16:00
Waterloo railway station
1st Floor
London SE1 7LY
Open Monday-Friday 08:00-18:00
Plaza medical centre
120 Oxford Street
London W1N 9DP
Open Monday-Saturday 10:00-19:00
Bank medicentre
1-6 Old Jewry Street
London EC2R 8DN
Open Monday-Friday 08:00-19:00
Fenchurch Street medicentre
150 Fenchurch Street
London EC3M 6BB
Open Monday-Friday 08:00-16:00
NHS walk-in centres
NHS walk-in centres (www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx) offer healthcare advice, information and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses. No appointment is needed and assessments are carried out by experienced NHS nurses. They are open and available to anyone who can normally access NHS services. They are located throughout England, with 8 centres in London.
Note: NHS walk-in centres are open to overseas visitors but a charge may be made.
Keep a written record with you at all times of any medical condition affecting you and the generic names (not just the trade names) of any medication you are taking.