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moving to uk

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Kathlyin

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Hello
I´m moving to UK in but I have no idea about your health system. I am currently living in Finland. I have diabetes type 1 and hypothyroidism. Where would I go to see a doctor and would I need different doctors for them or would I need to go to the checks in Finland. I am so lost! I´m mostly worried about my hypothyroidism because I was diagnosed with it 9 months ago and it's still not balanced and I swear it's affecting my bloodsugar. My doctor doesn't think so but everytime they change my levothyroxine dose my bloodsugar gets better...
 
Hi Kathlyin!

I moved to England myself from Sweden almost 17 years ago now...:)
As soon as you've moved here, you'll need to pop in to the nearest doctor's office and register. You will then get your own GP (General Practitioner). The GP will then refer you to any specialists you may need to see. Any minor ailments the GP will deal with himself- There is normally at least one nurse at the GP's office too so any bloodwork can also be done there. I see my Diabetes specialist about twice a year and also see the diabetes nurse every four months or so...
I am certain that whatever GP you register with would refer you to see a specialist in hypothyroidism too. :) Good luck!
 
I'm British but when I go abroad I need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to ensure I get the same care abroad as I'm entitled to receive at home. You should contact your government offices and find out what you're supposed to do. If you're entitled to NHS treatment, then you'll get free care as bella above has said. I think as long as you can prove you're a resident or on a genuine holiday here, and that you're not just coming here for medical treatment, then you'll get everything you need, free of charge, including all your prescriptions for everything - not only diabetes supplies, but absolutely everything. The GP's surgery have a form for you to complete, then you get a card that you present to the pharmacist whenever you have a prescription, and they just give it to you!

Some GP surgeries have their own diabetes nurses and specialists who can do your annual reviews and answer your other needs, but some don't. I think most, if not all, hospitals have a diabetes team. I have the choice of the hospital or the GP surgery, but since the GP who is the diabetes specialist was the last doctor I saw before diagnosis and he said "There's nothing wrong with you" I have chosen to remain under the care of the local hospital instead :)
 
Thank You for the quick replies. I´m moving in to work on permanent basis. I wanted to make sure before I move. I actually do have the Finnish EHIC card luckily I haven't needed it before since I have travelled a fair bit. So far the procedure is the same as here, I´m glad.
moonstone - similar thing happened to me but with hypothyroidism. The nurse who is supposed to know about these things told me I´m good now and all the symptoms that I have don't have anything to do with hypothyroidism even if they are the classic symptoms for it.. Her words "Apparently there is something else wrong with you." Excellent treatment!!
 
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