Medical ServicesGeneral Information
Address: - Notting Hill
W11 2EU - Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove
London
Nearest Bus or Train:Ladbrook Grove
Open Hours:Not available
The National Health Service (NHS) gives free treatment to those 'ordinarily resident' (your stay is legal and has lasted longer than six months) in the UK. Standard charges are made for dental treatment and prescriptions. All citizens of the European Union plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein are entitled to free medical assistance and consultations in Britain. Like British citizens they must pay the £6 fee for any drug prescriptions. Some other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Eastern Europe and Russia have reciprocal health agreements with the UK. These vary from free entitlement to a proportion of the costs being waived. Only urgently needed treatment is covered.
Visitors from most countries, including the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Mexico and all African, South American, Middle Eastern and Asian countries will be liable for full medical costs unless covered by insurance. This does not, however, apply to treatment at accident and emergency departments which is free for everyone.
If your country of origin is not covered by such an agreement and your stay is for less than six months, then private medical insurance is advisable. Emergency treatment is given free to residents and to visitors alike.
Please note that London Trusts in particular have much more rigorous checks on entitlement to treatment and that St Thomas' has an overseas visitors team whose main role is to recoup the cost of treatment where appropriate. Also, even if you are an EU citizen, if your sickness whilst here is due to a pre-existing condition that was known to you when you travelled (e.g. pregnancvy or diabetes) then you will have to pay for treatment no matter what.
The number above is for NHS Direct (for immediate and confidential advice, and it is only 8 digits long).
Health Information Service: 0800 665544 The Bilateral Health Agreement: 020 7210 5318
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