Registration with Doctors

3. Health
Health care
When you arrive in the UK one of the first things you should do is register with a local General Practitioner (GP) at your local health centre/ Doctor’s surgery. Treatment on the NHS is free. You will need to visit them to register and provide some details such as passport for identification and proof of address. Do not leave this until you are ill because most GP’s will not see anyone who is not registered.

If you get ill
a. Visit your local health centre/GP that you have registered with. Usually you will have to call up and make an appointment. If you get ill very suddenly and need to see your GP, call them up and find out when they have emergency service. This is usually during set days and time-periods.

b. Try NHS Direct service. This is a free telephone/website service. It can be used anytime or day. Visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for more information. They can direct you to your local GP / health centre and /or give you basic advice to treat yourself for minor illnesses. You can contact NHS direct on 0845 4647 for advice or to talk to a nurse.

Emergencies
In the case of an accident or severe illness that requires urgent medical treatment you can visit your local hospital. They will have a walk-in centre or accident and Emergency ward. You will often have to wait depending on the seriousness of your condition. Very serious cases will be seen to immediately. Use a taxi to get there. I in the case of extreme emergencies call 999 or 112 and request an ambulance.

Paying for healthcare and prescriptions
Emergency treatment at Accident and Emergency and with your GP is free. You will be required to pay for any prescriptions or extra treatments. Check with your GP to see if you are eligible for any exemptions from paying. If you are given a prescription you will need to take it to your local pharmacy to obtain the medicine.

Dentists
If you have any problems with your teeth then you will need to register and visit your local dentist. Most dentists in the UK are now private and you will have to pay for the visit and treatment. However, you can check to see if you are eligible for NHS treatment. Some dentist surgeries treat NHS patients.

Pharmacy
Local Pharmacies, supermarkets and some shops have basic medicinal items for the common cold or illnesses. You can purchase these items directly without a prescription. If your illness persists you should visit a doctor.

Private Treatment
You can also get medical treatment privately. Which means you will be required to pay for the visit and treatments. Private treatment is very expensive but also very efficient.

Registration with the Police

Some International Students are required to register with the police when they arrive in London. A stamp or sticker in your passport will confirm whether you are required to register.

You can contact the police station in Harrow directly to arrange an appointment. If you change address, or if you are issued with a new passport, or an extension to your student visa, you must notify the police of these changes, it is not necessary to book an appointment for this.

Students coming from the following countries are required to register with the Police

• Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan
• Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil
• China, Columbia, Cuba
• Egypt
• Georgia
• Iran, Iraq, Israel
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait
• Lebanon, Libya

• Moldova, Morocco
• North Korea
• Oman
• Palestine, Peru
• Qatar
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria
• Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan
• U.A.E, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
• Yemen

What documents do I need when I register with the police?
Remember: when you attend Police registration you will need to have with you:
• 2 passport-style photographs. (Passport photographs may be obtained from a machine in the Sports Centre)
• Your passport
• Registration fee of £34.00 (if you are paying in cash, please ensure you have the correct change)

It is vital that you attend your police registration appointment, as it is a legal requirement of your entry into the UK for you to register with the police. Failure to do so will be recorded on your immigration record and will affect your ability to obtain entry clearance/visa to re-enter the UK.