Expats in London can benefit from health care services in various public and private hospitals as well as clinics.
If you are settling in London, you will undoubtedly have queries about health services available in the capital. You will find several public and private hospitals in London. Healthcare services in London are entirely developed and are managed by the National Health Service (NHS). However, you are advised to subscribe to medical insurance for expats before travelling if you intend to have a short stay there.
Health system
The NHS is one of the biggest employers, with around 1.26 million full-time staff. It is often said that the NHS treats more than one million patients every 36 hours.
Access to healthcare is free of charge for London citizens and residents. However, foreigners have to pay unless they require emergency care. If you come from a country with a health care agreement with the United Kingdom, you may receive discounts on medical fees for diseases you contracted after you arrived in London.
Good to know:
If you are a visitor from the EU, even if you are a former UK resident, you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC), or S2 healthcare document to access the healthcare system. You will be charged if you cannot provide the mentioned documents.
Expats are required to pay £624 per year for the NHS Healthcare surcharge as part of their immigration application. This applies to people staying in England longer than six months and can be paid by debit or credit card on this link.
Once settled in London, you must obtain your National Identification Number. Thereafter, you are advised to register with a doctor whose office is closest to your place. You can also receive healthcare in any hospital or healthcare centre by presenting your identification documents.
Useful links:
Greenwich Hospital www.grenhosp.org.uk
London Welbeck Hospital londonwelbeckhospital.co.uk
St Anthony 's Hospital www.stanthonys.org.uk
Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth www.hje.org.uk
Queen Mary Hospital qmh.oxleas.nhs.uk
The Wellington Hospital www.thewellingtonhospital.com
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital www.chelwest.nhs.uk
Emergency numbers
In an emergency in London, dial 112 or 999, whether you need to call the police, firefighters, or ambulance services. The operator will forward your call to the appropriate department.
Good to know:
Due to the high demand, the NHS is known to have very long waiting times; it is difficult and rare to get a same-day appointment with a general practitioner.
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