Register with a doctor
Register for NHS Services
Its important to get registered to be able to access local health services
You need to be registered with a local doctor and dentist to access NHS health services when you're at uni.
It's important that you register with a doctor (also known as a General Practitioner or GP) at a GP Surgery and a dentist as soon as you arrive with us. Don't wait until you're ill.
Health professionals at GP surgeries like the Practice Nurse can offer help in areas such as contraception, cervical smear tests and flu jabs, and a range of other physical and mental health conditions.
Getting help from the NHS
Health advice - NHS 111
Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for health advice. It's a free service that allows you to speak to NHS staff who can give you health advice or help find which service is best for you.
Illnesses and minor injuries
The A&E and Urgent Care Centre at Whipps Cross Hospital can help with minor illnesses and injuries.
They can offer treatment, advice and information for incidents like minor head and eye wounds, treating sprains, strains and breaks to arms, lower legs and feet.
Calling an ambulance
If you or someone else has a serious or life-threatening injury or condition on campus, call 999. You'll be asked:
- The location, including the area or room in the building
- The phone number you're calling from
- What's happened?
Life threatening emergencies
If you need urgent medical treatment for a life threatening emergency, the local hospital in Walthamstow is Whipps Cross Hospital.
The Emergency Department at Whipps Cross Hospital treats those with life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, persistent or severe chest pain, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.
Register for a GP
Why register
We recommend that you register with a GP near your term-time address when you come to London.
Although you may be spending some of the year elsewhere, such as your family's address over the holidays, it's important that you're able to access London health services when you're away from home.
It's easy to change GPs when you move house or graduate, and your health record will transfer across. It can take several weeks to be processed, so it's best to do it as soon as you move to university rather than waiting until you need help.
How to register
- Choose a surgery that's close to your student house or flat.
- Contact a local surgery with your personal details and the name and address of your current doctor.
- If you have an ongoing condition like asthma, diabetes or epilepsy, it's even more important to register with a local GP as soon as possible. Visit the GP for a health check (which is free to new patients), so they know who you are and what medication you're taking.
- Make sure you don't leave your repeat prescriptions to the last minute.
- If you change your term-time address, please contact your GP practice and let them know your new address. If they lose contact with you, you may no longer be registered with your GP.
Accessing health services if you're not registered
If you need urgent health access whether you're at your term time or home address, and you're not registered, you can usually go to any pharmacy or call 111 for advice (see above).
Find a GP
If you're at our London campus, your nearest doctors' surgeries are:
- Addison Road Medical Practice, 46 Ravenswood Road, London E17 9LY
- The Firs Medical Centre, 26 Stephenson Road, London E17 7JT
- Higham Hill Medical Centre, 258-260 Higham Hill Road, Walthamstow E17 5RQ
- Dr M Conroy - Chingford Medical Practice, Chingford Health Centre 109 York Road, London E4 8LF
Find a GP on the NHS website
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp/
Register with a dentist
It can be difficult to find a place at a dentist as they are in high demand - but you can search for nearby dentists on the NHS website. You should contact your dentist immediately if you need emergency treatment due to symptoms such as
- Severe pain that cannot be controlled with pain relief
- Swelling in the mouth or face (with or without pain)
- Uncontrollable bleeding in the mouth
- Any trauma to the mouth or teeth
If you don't have a regular dentist then contact NHS 111 by phoning 111. They can advise about emergency appointments close to you.
International students' access to NHS services
If you join us on a Student Route visa for a full-time course or part-time postgraduate course for more than 6 months, you will be subject to the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year, payable with your visa application. This helps cover your NHS costs while you're in the UK, so you can access NHS services whenever you need them.
If you have any dependants living permanently with you for the duration of your course, they must also pay the surcharge when they apply for their visa. You'll all need to pay any additional statutory NHS charges, like any prescriptions.