NHS & Healthcare Guide
A practical guide to understanding and using the National Health Service. Whether you have just arrived in the UK or have been here for years, this page covers everything you need to know — from registering with a GP to accessing mental health support.
How the NHS Works
The National Health Service provides healthcare to all UK residents. It is funded through general taxation and National Insurance contributions, and most services are free at the point of use.
Free at the Point of Use
You do not pay to see a GP, visit a hospital, receive emergency treatment at A&E, or access mental health services. The NHS covers consultations, surgeries, inpatient care, and most diagnostic tests without charge.
Funded by Tax & National Insurance
The NHS is publicly funded. If you work in the UK, a portion of your income tax and National Insurance contributions goes towards funding the health service. There is no separate health insurance requirement for residents.
What the NHS Covers
GP appointments, hospital treatment, accident and emergency care, maternity services, mental health support, some prescriptions, and certain dental and eye care. Some services — such as most dental treatment and eye tests — carry a charge unless you qualify for an exemption.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
If you are applying for a UK visa lasting more than six months, you will usually need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application. This is currently £1,035 per year (or £776 for students and those on Youth Mobility visas). Once paid, you are entitled to use the NHS on the same basis as a permanent resident.
Registering with a GP
A General Practitioner (GP) is your first point of contact for non-emergency healthcare. You should register with a GP surgery as soon as possible after arriving in the UK — you do not need to wait until you are ill.
How to Find a GP Surgery
Use the NHS website to search for GP surgeries in your area. You can filter by distance and check whether a surgery is accepting new patients. You are free to register at any surgery that covers your area, and you can change your GP at any time.
What You Need to Register
Proof of address (such as a utility bill or tenancy agreement) and photo ID are helpful, but they are not mandatory. You do not need an NHS number to register — one will be assigned to you. You also do not need to provide immigration documents; GP surgeries are not required to check your immigration status.
Everyone Can Register
You have the right to register with a GP regardless of your immigration status, whether you have a fixed address, or whether you have identification. GP surgeries cannot refuse to register you because you lack these documents. If you are refused, you can ask to be registered as a temporary patient or contact NHS England for support.
After Registering
Once registered, you can book appointments by phone, online, or through the NHS App. Many surgeries offer same-day urgent appointments alongside advance bookings. You may also be invited for a new patient health check.
When to Use Which Service
The NHS has different services for different levels of need. Using the right one helps you get treated faster and keeps emergency services available for those who need them most.
GP Surgery
For routine and non-urgent health concerns — ongoing conditions, repeat prescriptions, referrals to specialists, vaccinations, health checks, and mental health support. Book an appointment by phone, online, or via the NHS App.
Pharmacy
For minor ailments such as coughs, colds, hay fever, skin rashes, and stomach upsets. Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals and can advise on treatments and sell over-the-counter medicines without a GP appointment. Many pharmacies are open evenings and weekends.
NHS 111
For urgent medical concerns that are not life-threatening. Call 111 (free, available 24/7) or visit 111.nhs.uk online. Trained advisors will assess your symptoms and direct you to the right service — whether that is a pharmacy, GP, urgent treatment centre, or A&E.
Walk-in Centres & Urgent Treatment Centres
For urgent but non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses when your GP is closed or you cannot get an appointment. These centres treat minor injuries like sprains, cuts, and infections. No appointment is needed, but waiting times vary. Check the NHS website for locations near you.
A&E (Accident & Emergency)
For life-threatening emergencies only — chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, suspected stroke, loss of consciousness, or serious injuries. Call 999 for an ambulance if the person cannot be safely transported. A&E departments are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The NHS App
A free app that lets you book and manage GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your medical record, check symptoms using NHS 111 online, and access your COVID and other vaccination records. Available on iOS and Android. You can register by using your NHS login details.
Prescriptions
When a doctor or other authorised prescriber decides you need medication, they issue a prescription that you take to a pharmacy to collect your medicine.
Costs by Country
Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In England, there is a charge of £9.90 per item (as of 2024/25). This charge applies per item on the prescription, not per visit.
Who Is Exempt in England
You do not pay prescription charges in England if you are under 16, aged 16–18 and in full-time education, aged 60 or over, pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, have certain medical conditions (such as diabetes or epilepsy), receive certain benefits (such as Universal Credit with no earnings), or hold a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
Prepayment Certificates (PPC)
If you need regular prescriptions in England, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate can save you money. A 3-month PPC costs £31.25 and a 12-month PPC costs £111.60. Once you have a PPC, all your NHS prescriptions are covered at no extra charge. You can buy one online through the NHS Business Services Authority website or by calling them directly.
Electronic Prescriptions
Most prescriptions in England are sent electronically from your GP directly to your chosen pharmacy. You can nominate a pharmacy through your GP surgery or the NHS App. This means you do not need to collect a paper prescription — simply go to your pharmacy and your medication will be ready.
Dental Care
NHS dental care is not fully free — patients in England pay towards the cost of treatment through a banded charge system. Finding an NHS dentist that is accepting new patients can be difficult in some areas.
NHS vs Private Dentistry
NHS dentists provide clinically necessary treatment at subsidised rates. Private dentists may offer a wider range of cosmetic treatments and shorter waiting times, but at higher cost. Many dentists offer both NHS and private treatment, so always confirm which type of care you are receiving before treatment begins.
Three Bands of NHS Charges (England)
Band 1 (£26.80): Examination, diagnosis, X-rays, scale and polish if needed, and planning for further treatment.
Band 2 (£73.50): Everything in Band 1, plus fillings, root canal treatment, and tooth extractions.
Band 3 (£319.10): Everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures, and bridges.
These charges cover all treatment within that band for a single course of treatment.
Finding an NHS Dentist
Use the NHS website to search for dental surgeries in your area and check whether they are taking on new NHS patients. Availability varies significantly by region, and you may need to join a waiting list. If you cannot find an NHS dentist, contact NHS England (or the equivalent body in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland) for help.
Emergency Dental Treatment
If you have a dental emergency — such as severe pain, swelling, or trauma to the teeth — and cannot see your regular dentist, call NHS 111 for advice. They can direct you to an emergency dental service. Emergency treatment falls under Band 1 charges. A&E does not usually provide dental treatment but will help if there is significant bleeding or swelling affecting your breathing.
Mental Health Support
The NHS provides mental health support ranging from talking therapies for common conditions like anxiety and depression to specialist services for more complex needs. You do not always need a GP referral to access help.
Self-Referral to Talking Therapies
NHS Talking Therapies (formerly known as IAPT) provides evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, phobias, OCD, PTSD, and other common mental health conditions. You can refer yourself directly without seeing your GP first. Search for your local talking therapies service on the NHS website and complete a self-referral form online or by phone.
GP Referral for Specialist Support
For more complex mental health conditions, your GP can refer you to a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT). These teams include psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, and social workers who provide ongoing support, medication management, and specialist therapies. Waiting times vary by area.
Crisis Support — Available Now
Samaritans: Call 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) to talk to someone if you are struggling to cope or feel distressed.
Crisis Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support via text message.
NHS Crisis Line: Call 111 and select the mental health option for urgent mental health support. Your local NHS trust may also have a dedicated crisis line.
Support for Specific Groups
Specialised services exist for children and young people (CAMHS — Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, accessed via GP or school referral), new mothers (perinatal mental health teams), and people experiencing addiction (local drug and alcohol services). The NHS website and your GP can help you find the right service.
Useful Links
Official resources for more detailed and up-to-date information on NHS services and healthcare in the UK.
NHS Website
www.nhs.uk — The official NHS website. Search for GPs, dentists, hospitals, and pharmacies near you. Check symptoms, book appointments, and learn about health conditions and treatments.
Find a GP
Find a GP on NHS.uk — Search for GP surgeries in your area and check which ones are accepting new patients.
Find a Dentist
Find a dentist on NHS.uk — Search for dental practices near you and check NHS availability.
NHS Talking Therapies
NHS Talking Therapies — Find your local service and self-refer for support with anxiety, depression, and other common mental health conditions.
Immigration Health Surcharge
GOV.UK — Healthcare for visa applicants — Official guidance on the Immigration Health Surcharge, who needs to pay, and what it covers.
Prescription Prepayment Certificates
NHSBSA — Prepayment Certificates — Buy a Prescription Prepayment Certificate to save money if you need regular prescriptions in England.
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