Information for Refugees and Migrants

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What is the Name of the UK 's Health Service?

The health service in the UK is called the National Health Service (NHS), which was set up in 1948 and is now recognised as one of the best health services in the world by the World Health Organisation.

The NHS operates hospitals, walk-in centres and specialist centres, as well as employing doctors, dentists, opticians, pharmacists and other practitioners.

Access to NHS Services for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

As the rules about accessing services can change please check the following websites for the most current information:-

Harp  

Department of Health 

The Department of Health Website also has available a printable health leaflet called Introduction to the National Health Service  (only available on the internet) in 43 different languages.

The Directgov website - Health and Wellbeing section  has information regarding all aspects of health and accessing health services in the UK .

Is Treatment from the NHS free?

To be able to get free NHS treatment depends on how long you have been in the UK, why you are here, whether or not you are a resident, and what kind of treatment you need. Anyone who is a resident of the UK , or who has lived legally here for the 12 months before treatment does not have to pay. If you are seeking asylum in the UK , you will be entitled to free NHS treatment while your application is being processed. You will not have to pay for any hospital treatment, and you can register with a local doctor.

Even if you are entitled to free treatment, you may still have to pay for some things, for example, prescriptions and dental treatment. You may be entitled to help with this. You are also entitled to free NHS treatment if you have been:

• refused asylum but are appealing that decision 
• refused support under Section 55 of the 2002 Act but you are claiming asylum
• granted refugee status 
• given Discretionary Leave to Remain 
• given Humanitarian Protection

If your application for asylum has been refused you are not generally allowed free NHS treatment, unless it is an emergency.

If you are treated at hospital, the hospital will decide who should pay. Staff will ask for information about your status in the UK , and interview you to find out if you should pay for services. If you want to be treated by a family doctor, you need to go to your local general practice (GP) or health centre. It is up to the doctor whether or not you can register with them (see below), if you are not eligible for free treatment.

Anyone coming to work in the UK either as an employee or self-employed can have free NHS treatment. Students from overseas can also receive free treatment, as long as the course lasts longer than six months, or is substantially funded by the UK Government.

Treatment for certain diseases, including food poisoning, heart disease, tuberculosis, malaria, cholera and meningitis, plus family planning services - are always free of charge. This includes any treatment for accidents and emergencies in a hospital or at a local walk-in centre.Please see below Hospital - Accident and Emergency (A&E). Any follow-up treatment will have a cost if you are not entitled to free NHS services.

Services Provided by the NHS

Doctors - General Practitioners

General Practitioners are known as GPs and are family doctors, who offer health information and advice, and who provide medical consultations. You need to register with a GP soon after you arrive in the UK . He or she is your point of contact with the UK NHS system. Your doctor should be able to say what is wrong with you and what kind of treatment you need. They will treat you or send you to see a specialist doctor or health team. They may send you to be treated at hospital. Lists of local GPs are available from the Manchester NHS website or the NHS Choices website. Lists are also available from local libraries, local phone books and the local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (0161 219 9495 or 0161 958 4117).

To register with a GP, simply go to the surgery of your choice and ask if you can register. If you have a Medical Card or any other medical record, take it with you. If you do not have a Medical Card you can fill in a form at the surgery.

Remember: do not wait until you are ill to register with a GP.

Once you are registered with a GP, to see them about any health problem, you will normally have to phone or visit the surgery to arrange an appointment. GPs can arrange interpreters; when you make the appointment tell the receptionist you need an interpreter and which language you speak.

You are entitled to certain services and treatments from your GP - ask for the practice patient's leaflet for more details.

If you are unsuccessful in registering with a GP, try other surgeries in the area. Ask for reasons in writing why the GP will not accept you. If you still have problems, contact the Patient Data Department on 0161 237 2765/2239 for advice. They can assign you a GP, and advise you on how to register. This may not be your preferred GP but should be one near you. 

Walk-in Centres

These are places where you can walk in for treatment for minor illnesses and injuries. It might be that you do not have a GP, or you cannot get an appointment to see your GP at that particular moment. At a walk-in centre you can get advice and treatment for: 

• minor burns 
• minor injuries, including cuts,
• minor head, neck and back injuries,
• bites 
• minor falls or soft tissue injuries
• eye injuries and infections
• chest pain 
• allergies 
• emergency contraception 
• skin infections
• ear pain 
• rashes 
• colds and sore throats 
• viral coughs

Walk-in centres can be found at the following places:

• Manchester Piccadilly Walk-in Centre 1-3 Gateway House, Piccadilly South, Manchester , M1 2GH . Tel: 0161 233 2525. Monday to Friday 7am - 7pm. Bank Holidays 7am - 7pm But Not Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
• Primary Care Emergency Centre Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road , Manchester , M13 9WL Telephone 0161 276 5193. Monday to Friday: 8.30am - 10pm, Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 - 8:00pm, and all Bank Holidays; 9:30am - 5pm.
• Withington Community Hospital Nell Lane, West Didsbury, Manchester , M20 2LR . Tel: 0161 217 3015. Monday to Friday and all Bank Holidays: 11am - 7pm Saturday and Sunday: 9am - 5pm.
• Wythenshawe Forum Walk-in Centre Simonsway, Wythenshawe , M22 5RX . Tel: 0161 435 3694. Monday to Friday and Bank Holidays: 8am - 6pm, Saturday and Sunday: 8am - 9pm.
• Burnage Walk-in Centre 347 Burnage Lane , Manchester , M19 1EW . Tel: 0161 443 0600. Monday to Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm.
• Ancoats Community Clinic  Old Mill Street , Ancoats, Manchester . Tel: 0161 274 1640 everyday: 9am - 9pm. Emergencies only after 7.30pm.

Please note, last patients are seen half an hour before closing time.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists (also called chemists) can be found near GP surgeries and also in shopping areas. They are experts in medicines and how they work. If your doctor has prescribed a medicine for you, they will give you a prescription to take to a pharmacist to get the medicine. There is usually a charge for this, although you may be entitled to help with the cost. Pharmacists can also carry out some health checks and give you advice on a range of health matters. They sell medicine for minor ailments, including painkillers.

NHS Direct 0845 4647

This is a telephone service providing confidential health advice and information 24 hours a day. You can talk to NHS staff who can tell you what to do if you are feeling ill. They can also tell you where to find local health services and self-help/support groups. You can telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647. If you do not speak English, when the call is answered say the English word for the language you speak and you will be connected to an interpreter.

Hospital - Accident and Emergency (A&E)

Hospital Accident and Emergency Departments deal with serious accidents, emergencies and serious illnesses. All other hospital treatments would be organised by your GP.

A&E departments are often very busy and you will have to wait to be seen. Patients are seen in order of the seriousness of their conditions. In the case of a medical emergency call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Dentists

Dentists deal with problems with teeth and gums. You should contact the dentist of your choice and ask if you can be seen. The Dental Practice will advise whether you can be seen as an NHS patient or treated privately. You will need to register with a dentist for a course of treatment. Please remember not all dentists can treat NHS patients. Also, even if you are entitled to free NHS treatment, there is still a charge for dental services, although you may be entitled to help with these costs.

For NHS dental treatment there are 3 levels of cost (charges could change in the future):

• £16.20 Examination, diagnosis & preventative advice including X-rays and scale and polish
• £44.60 Examination, diagnosis & preventative advice including fillings, root canal work & extractions
• £198.00 Examination, diagnosis & preventative advice including more complex treatments such as crowns, dentures and bridges.

NHS Manchester will be able to provide information on Community Dental Services, and on dentists in your local area.

The NHS Manchester website has information about local dentists who are taking on NHS patients. Please call the dental enquiry line on 0845 602 7748.

For emergency or out of hours dental care you should ring NHS Direct's out of hours number on 0845 601 8529. They will advise you on what to do and make an emergency appointment if necessary with the on call dentist. Urgent and out of hours NHS care costs £16.20.

Opticians

They will carry out eye tests and sell you contact lens or glasses. You will need to make an appointment for an eye test. Opticians can be found in local shopping areas.

Support and Advice on NHS Services

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you need help, want to make a suggestion or have a concern or complaint

about local health services you can contact the PALS service. This service is part of Manchester Primary Care Trust and is free, confidential and a city-wide service.

PALS can: 

• Listen to your concerns and suggestions 
• Provide on the spot information about NHS services 
• Advise and support patients, their families, and carers 
• Help sort out problems quickly on your behalf 
• Help you to contact other organisations for the help you might need 
• Record any comments you have to make about services and learn from your experience

For example you can contact PALS if:

• You need to register with a GP or dentist 
• You have a concern with a treatment or service but are not sure who can help 
• You want to know what health services are available in your local area

Contact PALS on 0161 219 9451.

Complaints

The Complaints team at Manchester PCT can help you if you want to complain about a service that is provided by NHS Manchester. You can also contact the Complaints team for advice on how to complain about your doctor, dentist, pharmacist or optician.

To make a complaint please contact Lynn Yates at NHS Manchester, Newton Silk Mill, Holyoak Street , Manchester M40 1HA . Telephone: 0161 219 9450

E-mail: lynn.yates@manchester.nhs.uk.

Individual hospitals will have their own complaints departments.

Independent Complaints Advocacy Service - ICAS

ICAS is free, independent and confidential. ICAS can: 

• Support you with your NHS complaint 
• Provide a self-help pack 
• Put you in touch with other people who can help you
• Involve an interpreter or translator if you need one 
• Meet you in a place where you feel comfortable if you are not able to visit their office or speak on the phone.

Please phone ICAS on 0845 120 3735.

HIV and AIDS

Organisations in Manchester who offer support to people who have or think they may have HIV or AIDS:

• George House Trust -  Phone 0161 274 4499
• Body Positive 
• Black Health Agency
• African AIDS Helpline phone for free on 08000 967500

 

Victims of Torture

The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture can offer support to asylum seekers and refugees. Please phone 0161 236 5744 (Monday - Friday 9:30am - 5pm).

Stressed, Anxious or Alone

The Sahara Mental Health Support Service offers help to refugees and asylum seekers. Phone 0161 835 3393 (Monday - Friday 9:30am - 5pm).