Health
Kris Rao is an official provider of services to meet student welfare needs at Reading University. He has produced a range of informational leaflets and booklets for the international students who study there.
One of the biggest fears about any prospective long stay in a foreign country is health. People from tropical countries worry what it would be like to stay in a country that has a colder climate, and fear that this could lead to contracting the common cold. The doctor–patient relationship is a source of concern too, as this is also different in each country. Medical expenses that could take a big chunk of a student’s shoestring budget are another common worry, as are some highly publicised diseases that the UK has been associated with (namely BSE or Mad Cow Disease) or sexual morality leading to the possible spread of sexual diseases. Finally the prevalence of mental illnesses, the effect of these on others, and the availability and misuse of drugs to cure them, are a point of concern to some people.
Rest assured, the UK is a healthy place and the government exercises considerable vigilance against the outbreak of disease. If you exercise elementary precautions, you can lead a normal, healthy life. It is necessary, however, for students to understand the health system of the UK in order to get the best possible medical care when they need it.
You are unlikely to get anything more serious than a cold or flu. However, do bear in mind that you will be living in a different climate, eating a different diet, and be in a country where rules about drinking alcohol, drugs and sex may be different from yours. Take extra precautions during your first few weeks at university.
NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE (NHS)
The United Kingdom has a nationally funded health service – the National Heath Service (NHS). Most people use the free National Health Service which provides a wide range of medical treatment to all UK residents through a variety of means. Most of the services are free but for some there is a charge which you can claim back. The NHS website is: www.nhs.uk
Eligibility for NHS treatment
You will need to meet certain requirements to qualify for free NHS treatment. Students from EEA countries and from those countries that have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK (see below) are entitled to receive free healthcare regardless of the duration of their stay here in the UK. All international students and their dependants studying on a course of more than six months (any duration in Scotland) are also entitled to free healthcare. If your course lasts for less than six months (or you are not from an EEA nation) and your country does not participate in a reciprocal healthcare agreement then you will not be entitled to receive free treatment except in emergencies. You should have adequate insurance for the total duration of your stay here as a student, because private health treatment can be very expensive. It is better to take out health or travel insurance in your home country that covers your medical expenses in the UK, as very few companies offer medical insurance to students staying in the UK for less than a year. EEA nationals and their dependants staying in the UK for less than six months should fill out the form El28 in their country of residence. This will enable them to receive full NHS treatment.
RECIPROCAL HEALTHCARE AGREEMENT
Britain has reciprocal health agreements with the following countries: All EEA countries, Anguilla, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Czech Republic, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Hungary, Isle of Man, Malta, Montserrat, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, St. Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, former Soviet Union States, and all countries of the former Yugoslavia. Nationals of these countries are entitled to receive free healthcare under the NHS for the duration of their stay here.
All overseas students are entitled to receive NHS treatment if their course of study is for more than six months in England and Wales, or a course of any duration in Scotland. As you enter the country the immigration officer will ask you to register with the health authorities at the port of entry. You can register as a patient with your institution’s health centre or your local surgery later.
REGISTERING WITH A DOCTOR
You should register with a doctor (also known as a general practitioner or GP), as soon as possible when you arrive in the UK. Most universities and colleges will have their own health centres and you may be able to register there. Some universities and colleges charge a small fee for the service. If your institution does not have a health centre, register with a local doctor’s surgery near to where you live.
To register, you will need to go to the surgery personally during consulting hours (9.00am to 5.00pm) and register as an NHS patient. Most surgeries have both male and female doctors and should you prefer to be seen by a female doctor you can request one. You might be asked to show proof of your student status and your passport when you register. When accepted you will be sent a medical card showing your NHS number. You can contact your local health authority should you need any help in registering. Their address and telephone number can be obtained through your local post office or doctor.
Under the NHS, consultations with doctors are free both at the surgery or at home and (in the case of emergencies). If a doctor gives you a prescription for medication you will have to take it to your local pharmacist. Some medicines are available only on prescription and you might have to pay initially. To reclaim the money you will have to fill in form HC1 (obtainable at the doctor’s surgery, pharmacists, the post office or your Student Advice Centre), enclose the receipts and claim the cost back from the NHS. Your International Office or Student Advice Centre will be able to advise you on how to fill in the form.
NHS DIRECT OR NHS 24
NHS Direct is a round-the-clock nurse advice and health information service, providing confidential information on a wide range of issues. The nurses are able to advise on health conditions, local healthcare services and late night pharmacies. There is also a confidential translation service if you wish to describe your ailments in another language. You can call NHS Direct in England and Wales on 0845 4647 or NHS 24 in Scotland on 0800 224 488. NHS Direct and NHS 24 also operate an online interactive enquiry service at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
DENTISTS AND OPTICIANS
Dentists
Dental treatments are very expensive in the UK. You will need to register with a dentist under the NHS to qualify for NHS dental treatment. A list of dentists providing NHS treatment is usually available from your Student Advice Centre or your local post office. Call or check first whether the dentist accepts NHS patients as some dentists will only accept private patients. You will then have to give the dentist your NHS number (available on your medical card). There is usually a charge for dental treatment. Check in advance what the costs are going to be as costs for some treatment (even under the NHS) can be very expensive. You may be able to claim these charges back from the NHS by filling in form HC1.
Opticians
In the UK general eyecare is provided by opticians who operate from high street shops. You will have to pay for an eye test. If you need glasses then the optician will give you a prescription. The cost of glasses and contact lenses can be high and may vary considerably from shop to shop and from brand to brand. If you wear contact lenses or glasses then it might be better to get an additional pair from your home country before you leave. Popular high street opticians are Boots, Optical Express, Specsavers and Dolland and Aitchinson. Besides these there are also several local opticians listed in Yellow Pages.
PHARMACIES
Boots, Lloyds and Superdrug are the most popular high street pharmacists. They are usually open from 09.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Saturday and from 11.00am to 5.00pm on Sundays. Most of the supermarkets also have in-store pharmacies. In addition to the high street pharmacists there are several local pharmacies. Major towns and cities have 24-hour pharmacies and these are listed in the local Yellow Pages. You can also call NHS Direct on 08457 4647 or if you live in Scotland, NHS 24 on 0800 224 488. Pharmacists also provide advice on the treatment of minor health problems. This could save you a trip to your GP. All GP prescriptions are charged a flat fee of £6.50 per item by the pharmacist.
Free contraception
All prescribed contraceptives are free in the UK. Most Students’ Unions supply free contraception through their student welfare department, Student Advice Centre and Nightline. You will also be able to get free condoms and contraception though local Health Promotion Units and some surgeries. Your Student Advice Centre or your local post office should have a list of them or you can find them online at www.fpa.org.uk
PRIVATE HEALTHCARE
Private healthcare is widely available in the UK but is generally very expensive. Expect to pay around £2,500 for a minor treatment. However, with private healthcare you get treated quickly and have certain facilities and comforts that are not available on the NHS, such as the privacy of your own en-suite room with TV.
Health insurance
The number of insurance companies offering health insurance has risen slowly in recent years. Private health insurance offers assurance of treatment available promptly in a private hospital. As a private patient you can often choose when and where treatment will take place. However, some illnesses (HIV, self-injury, alcohol and drug abuse) and treatments will not be covered by a private medical insurance policy and these are explained in the policy documents. You still need to be registered with the NHS.
- AXA (www.axa.com or 0800 728 436)
- Norwich Union (www.norwichunion.com or 0800 056 2593)
- BUPA (www.bupa.com or 0800 600 500)
offer healthcare insurance to students staying for six months or longer in the UK.
Only Endsleigh Insurance (www.endsleigh.com or 0800 028 3571) offers medical insurance for treatment under the NHS to international students staying for less than six months with premiums starting from £20 per month.
Premiums vary according to your lifestyle, habits, age and the total length of your stay in the UK. By law, all insurers have to offer a cooling-off period (usually 14 days) from the date you take out the policy in case you change your mind. You are entitled to a full refund if you decide not to go ahead with the policy.
The Hospital Savings Association (www.hsa.co.uk or 01264 353 211), a non-profit organisation, helps its members to meet day-to-day expenses of hospitalisation even under the NHS. For a monthly premium, starting from £4, members get their costs met in the case of hospitalisation. You’ll need to contribute monthly by direct debit for six months before you can claim any expenses towards your hospitalisation.
COUNSELLING SERVICES
Most universities and colleges have a free in-house counselling service where they offer short-term counselling on social skills, academic problems, loneliness, homesickness, confidence, cultural transition, anxiety, stress, phobias, and problems linked to drugs or alcohol. Private counsellors are expensive in the UK and usually charge from around £50 for an hourly session.
VACCINATIONS
You do not need any vaccinations to enter the UK. Currently all students under 25 receive the meningitis C vaccination before the beginning of the academic term. You should try to get a tetanus and meningitis C injection before you leave for the UK. You can also get this vaccination free of charge at your university health centre or surgery at the beginning of term.
BRINGING HEALTH RECORDS TO THE UK
In accordance with immigration requirements you may be asked to undergo a health check with a local British Embassy or High Commission accredited doctor in your home country when you apply for a student visa. You’ll also be asked to have a chest X-ray taken which you will need to carry with you when you come to the UK. You will be asked to go through the port health control unit where you will have to show it to the port health officer. You may encounter a few delays if you do not have your X-ray with you. You will also be asked to fill in a form on which you will be required to write your UK address. You can post the application later if you have not yet confirmed your accommodation in the UK.
You should also bring your medical and prescription records with you. If you are taking regular medication in your home country it might be sensible to bring a supply of the medication when you come to the UK. Do check whether it is licensed to be used in the UK (www.hmcr.gov.uk) and bring it in a correctly labelled (in English) container.
HEALTH ISSUES IN THE UK
Although you are unlikely to catch anything more serious than a cold or the flu, the following are some of the health issues that you need to be aware of.
Meningitis
Meningitis is a rare brain infection that mainly affects people under 25 years of age. The time you are at the highest risk of catching meningitis is during the first few weeks at university. Students under 25 and those living in a hall of residence should take extra precautions against meningitis C during the first few weeks at the university.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It is mainly spread because of poor personal hygiene. The disease is quite common in the UK and vaccinations are available at all surgeries.
Hepatitis B and C: Again, these are infections of the liver which are transmitted through bodily fluids. They could be caused through unprotected sex or using contaminated needles or blades. Currently, there is no vaccination available to protect against Hepatitis C.
Flu (influenza)
Flu is a viral infection of the lungs and the air passages and is quite common during winter, especially among students during the beginning of term. Symptoms include headaches, fever and other cold-like symptoms.
Hay fever
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to grass pollens in the air. Pollens are usually released by plants between May and September but are at their peak in June and July.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the UK. Caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis, it spreads among people who have unprotected sex.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
IMPORTANT WEBSITES
The website for the National Health Service has detailed information on treatments, a self-help guide, a health encyclopaedia as well as topical features and news on health issues in the UK. The website also offers a comprehensive directory search of all doctors, dentists, pharmacies and opticians in the UK.
Another good website on health matters with information, advice and links to other sites. The site also contains more than 600 leaflets on health that GPs in the UK give to their patients during consultations.
Offers information and downloadable advice leaflets on student health issues in the UK. The website also has a directory of University Health Centres in the UK.
A sexual health website that offers information and advice on sexual health. The website also has a list of local units where you can get free contraception.
The National Drug Help website (also known as talktofrank) offers confidential online advice on issues related to drugs. The website also has a post code search facility for local organisations where counselling and support for drug addiction are available.
A mental health website giving information and support for mental health related problems. The website also has downloadable leaflets and books on coping with mental distress.
The website of the Samaritans – an organisation that provides free and confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of self-harm or suicide. They also operate by email (jo@samaritans.org.uk) and usually get back to you within 24 hours.
