THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
This explains how the National Health Service (NHS) works in the UK.
The National Health Service provides health care in the UK and is funded by taxation. EC Residents are entitled to access NHS care usually without charge, at pharmacies, to receive free medicines, dental treatment, eye tests and some glasses.
None of the people who work for the NHS, including doctors, nurses and interpreters, will pass on any information about you to any other person or organisation without your permission. All medical care is confidential.
How do I get help with my health?
If you are ill, or worried about your health or the health of anyone in your family, you should go to see you local doctor, called a General Practitioner (GP). The GP’s clinic is called a Surgery or a Health Centre.
You should register with a GP as soon as possible so that you can get medical care if you need it. To register you will need to give your name, date of birth, address and telephone number if you have one.
Some GPs ask all new patients to have a health check. This will usually be carried out by a nurse. It is important that you go to this appointment even if you are well. If a practice will not register you, you can ask the local Primary Care Trust to assign you to a practice.
How do I make an appointment?
Before you visit your doctor or one of the nurses at the surgery you will usually need to make an appointment in person or by telephone. You can ask to see a male or female doctor or nurse, although this may not always be possible.
You may have to wait a few days for a non urgent appointment. If you think you need to see the doctor urgently tell the receptionist when you make the appointment, and you will be seen that day if appropriate. If the doctor thinks you are too ill to come to the surgery, he/she may visit you at home. Appointments with the doctor will be for five or ten minutes. You need to make a separate appointment for each member of the family that wishes to see the doctor.
What if I do not speak English?
If you need an interpreter you must tell the receptionist when you make the appointment. Tell the staff which language you speak and they will book an interpreter for you or get an interpreter on the phone. It is important that you and the doctor understand each other so that he/she can make an accurate diagnosis of your problem.
Who else works with my GP?
• Nurses are very highly trained in the UK. They take care of many health needs including vaccinations, contraception advice, chronic illnesses such as diabetes and can give general health advice.
• Midwives look after pregnant women and their newborn babies. Care before the birth of the baby is called ‘ante-natal’ and after the birth ‘postnatal’.
• Health Visitors are nurses who specialise in the care of children and their families and in helping people to stay healthy. They may come to visit you at your home.
What if I need to see a specialist doctor?
Your GP will usually provide most of your health care and will decide if you need to see a specialist doctor (a consultant), or if you need to go to hospital. Everyone in the UK has to wait to see these specialist doctors. The hospital will write to you with details of your appointment. You must
contact the hospital if you need an interpreter to be present at your appointment.
Who else can help me?
MedicinesIf your doctor wants you to take medicines he/she will write you a prescription. Take the prescription to a pharmacy or chemist shop. The pharmacist can give advice on the treatment of minor health problems. Some medicines can be bought from the pharmacist without a prescription, including some pain killers and cough medicines.
Dental Care
If you have a problem with your teeth you should see a dentist. To receive NHS dental treatment you need to register with a dentist. If you have trouble registering with a dentist you can contact NHS Direct, or the local Primary Care Trust.
Eyesight
If you need your eyes testing or need new glasses (spectacles) make an appointment to see an optician. They have shops in most town centres.
When your GP surgery is closed
GP surgeries are generally open from about 0830 to 1830 Monday to Friday. At all other times – at night, on Saturday or Sunday and on public holidays – medical assistance is available for health problems that cannot wait until the GP surgery is open.
To get help you can ring the local out-of-hours service, and you can receive advice over the telephone. You may be asked to visit a GP surgery, or you may receive a visit from a medical professional at your home.
You can also telephone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for health advice or for medical support when your surgery is closed. It will cost much less to use a landline, for example in a telephone kiosk, than a mobile phone.
If you do not speak English, NHS Direct and the out-of-hours service can provide an interpreter. All you need to do is say in English the language you would prefer to use at the beginning of your call. If you do not speak any English ask a friend or relative or support worker to make the call for you and
wait until an interpreter is on the line before you describe your problem. You will be asked for some details such as your name and address: this information is important and is not shared with anyone else. To contact NHS Direct for health advice, ring : 0845 46 47
What to do in an Emergency
In an emergency, if you or someone with you becomes seriously ill and cannot wait until the GP surgery is open, you can telephone 999 (free of charge) for an ambulance, or go to the Accident and Emergency Department of you local hospital. However, this service is only for emergencies.
Hope this helps. This is just a general overview. If you have more specific single questions we will try and answer each one for you.
Ken
