The NHS stands for the National Health Service. It refers to the Government-funded medical and health care services that everyone living in the UK can use.
The NHS provides the majority of healthcare in England, including primary care, in-patient care, long-term healthcare, ophthalmology, and dentistry. The UK government department responsible for the NHS is the Department of Health and Social Care, headed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Moving to the UK and accessing healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS) can be an exciting yet complex process. If you’re planning to move to the UK, here’s some things you need to know about how the NHS works for newcomers and residents:
1. Eligibility for NHS Care
The NHS provides healthcare services to all residents of the UK, but eligibility for free care varies depending on your immigration status and how long you have lived in the country.
- British Citizens: If you’re a British citizen, you are entitled to full NHS care, which is free at the point of use (with a few exceptions, like dental care, prescriptions, and eye care).
- EU Citizens (Post-Brexit): Citizens from the EU who moved to the UK before January 1, 2021 may still have access to the NHS in the same way as British citizens. However, new EU arrivals after Brexit are subject to different immigration rules.
- Non-EU Citizens: If you’re moving to the UK from a non-EU country, you’ll generally need to meet specific residency and visa requirements to access NHS services.
- Visitors and Short-Term Stay: If you’re visiting the UK or on a short-term visa, you may need to pay for NHS services unless you come from a country that has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK.
- Health Surcharge for Visa Holders: If you’re applying for a visa to stay in the UK for more than six months, you’ll typically have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application. This grants you access to NHS services during your stay, though certain services (like dental care and prescriptions) may still incur charges.
2. Registering with a GP
The first step in accessing NHS healthcare is registering with a General Practitioner (GP). GPs are your first point of contact for most healthcare needs, including routine check-ups, referrals to specialists, and prescriptions.
- How to Register: You can register at any GP surgery near your home. Most surgeries accept new patients, but you will need proof of your identity, address, and immigration status.
- What to Bring: When you register with a GP, bring documents like:
- Passport or ID card.
- Proof of address (e.g., a utility bill or rental agreement).
- Your visa (if applicable).
- Immigration Health Surcharge payment receipt (if applicable).
- What a GP Does: Your GP will help with:
- Prescribing medications.
- Referring you to specialists for more complex issues.
- Offering preventative care like vaccinations.
- Managing long-term conditions.
- Appointments: GP appointments are usually by phone, online booking, or in-person. If needed, you can get referrals to other NHS services, including hospital treatment.
3. NHS Services Available
As a UK resident, you’ll have access to a range of healthcare services, such as:
- Emergency Care: If you need urgent or emergency care, you can go to the A&E (Accident & Emergency) department in hospitals or call 999 for ambulances.
- Hospital Treatment: NHS hospitals offer specialized care, including surgery, maternity services, and inpatient treatment.
- Mental Health Services: The NHS provides mental health services, including therapy and support for conditions like anxiety, depression, and more severe psychiatric disorders.
- Dental and Eye Care: While some dental and eye care services are covered, you may need to pay for treatments, and they are usually offered at a reduced rate for NHS patients.
- Maternity Services: The NHS provides free maternity care, including antenatal and postnatal services.
4. Paying for NHS Services
While the NHS is mostly free at the point of use, some services require payment:
- Prescriptions: In England, prescription costs apply unless you’re exempt (e.g., if you’re under 16, over 60, or have certain medical conditions). Prescriptions in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are free.
- Dental Care: NHS dental care in the UK isn’t completely free, and the cost varies depending on the treatment needed. However, it’s generally cheaper than private care.
- Optical Care: Eye exams are free, but glasses or contact lenses may cost you.
- A Prepaid Prescription Certificate (PPC) is a scheme in England that allows individuals to pay for prescriptions upfront for a set period of time, providing savings for those who regularly need prescribed medications. Instead of paying for each prescription individually, a PPC enables you to pay a fixed fee for a certain duration, which can be more cost-effective if you need multiple prescriptions.
5. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
As part of the visa application process for non-citizens and non-residents, you’ll be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when applying for a visa that is longer than 6 months. This surcharge allows you to access NHS services without paying the full cost of care.
6. How to Access NHS Services If You’re Not Registered
If you haven’t yet registered with a GP, you can still access NHS care, particularly emergency services:
- NHS 111: If you need urgent medical advice but it’s not an emergency, you can contact NHS 111 (available 24/7). The service offers advice on where to go for treatment, including whether you should go to a GP, an A&E department, or a pharmacy.
- A&E and Emergency Services: If you’re in need of urgent care, you can visit A&E or call an ambulance at any time. You don’t need to be registered with a GP for these services, but you may be asked for payment details if you’re not eligible for free care.
7. Moving with a Family
- Children’s Healthcare: The NHS provides free healthcare for children, including vaccinations, GP services, dental care, and hospital treatments.
- Pregnancy and Maternity Care: NHS maternity care is available for those residing in the UK, and it includes prenatal, labor, and postnatal services. NHS maternity care is generally free for those eligible, but non-residents or tourists may be required to pay.
8. Health Insurance in the UK
While most healthcare is covered by the NHS, some people choose to take out private health insurance to cover treatments not included or to avoid long waiting times for non-emergency services. Private insurance can also cover dental care, eye tests, or treatments that the NHS may not always cover.
9. Vaccinations and Preventative Healthcare
- Vaccination Programmes: The NHS offers a comprehensive childhood vaccination schedule. As a resident, you should ensure that both you and your children are up to date with recommended vaccinations.
- Health Checks: The NHS provides regular health checks for those over 40, and these help in detecting early signs of conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers.
10. Living in Different Parts of the UK
The NHS operates in slightly different ways across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, the general principles of access to healthcare remain the same:
- England: NHS services in England are managed by NHS England and include services like hospital treatment, GPs, and emergency care.
- Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland: These nations have their own NHS systems but operate similarly. For example, Scotland offers free prescriptions for all, while in England, you may have to pay for some prescriptions.
Help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability
If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this website explains your options and where you can get support.
- This guide is for people who have care and support needs, their carers, and people who are planning their future care needs.
- Help from social services and charities
- Care services, equipment and care homes
- How to pay for care and support, and where you can get help with costs.
- Care after a hospital stay
- Support and benefits for carers
- Practical tips if you care for someone
- Caring for children and young people
- Making decisions for someone else
Useful links
Some helpful NHS links:
- Health A to Z
- NHS website
- The NHS app
- Find a pharmacy
- Find a dentist
- Find a GP
- Find your nearest A&E
- Care and support
- Pregnancy
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Am I entitled to free prescriptions
- Prescription prepayment certificates
Working for the NHS
The NHS offers many different roles, in different settings, with different ways of working, within hundreds of organisations.
This creates a unique opportunity for people who want a varied, flexible, and challenging career within a world-class culture.
- NHS jobs
- Browse NHS jobs
- Department of health and social care
- NHS digital careers
- Dentist jobs
- Nursing jobs
- Administrative & Clerical
