UK HEALTH GUIDE

National Insurance - Health Care

When you get to the UK you will need to be aware of the healthcare system under which you are covered. The National Health Service (NHS) has reciprocal arrangements with over thirty other nations, including Australia and New Zealand (see list below) but until you get your first job it pays to have coverage under your travel insurance scheme. The NHS extracts a small contribution from your wages, so you will only be in the system properly when you are first employed. Your employer or the Department of Social Security (DSS), will issue you with a temporary NHS number, based on your date of birth. You will need to contact your nearest National Insurance Office and arrange an interview to obtain your permanent NHS number. They will need two forms of ID from you and the interview process can be quite time consuming, taking up to half a day to complete, but once it's done, you are fully in the system. The next step is to arrange a consultation with a GP so you can become an NHS registered patient. You can find lists of GPs in libraries, post offices and advice centres, health authorities or health boards. NHS Direct (0845 4647) can provide details of your nearest GP.

For full details of what the NHS provides for overseas people go toy the Department of Health (DOH) website below.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/International/OverseasVisitors/fs/en

If you are planning to stay in the UK long term, then it will pay to investigate private health insurance organisations such as BUPA or WPA, or else see if you can get private cover through your employer.

Family Planning/Sexual Health

IMPORTANT – Do not go through your GP for matters of Sexual Health. Go straight to a free, confidential GUM clinic (see below) because money lenders and insurance companies are entitled to check your medical records from GP’s before signing you up, and you could be prejudiced against if you have certain documented ailments. If you are gay we advise that you do not inform your GP unless necessary medically. It may seem extreme but could benefit you in the long term.

How you conduct your sex life is your business, but here’s a couple of handy hints that might help.

Some areas of England have NHS walk-in centres. Most of these can supply emergency contraception pills. They have long opening hours and are open at the weekends and bank holidays. To find out if there is a walk-in centre in your area go to http://www.nhs.uk/england/noAppointmentNeeded/walkinCentres/default.aspx

Contraception is free on the NHS. You can get the pill, as well as condoms from Family Planning Association (fpa)

http://www.fpa.org.uk/helpnow/where/

fpa’s nationwide helplines are open Monday to Friday and provide: confidential information and advice on contraception and sexual and reproductive health; details of family planning clinics, sexual health clinics and other sexual health services anywhere in the UK; a wide range of leaflets.