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International
students from the European Economic Area (EEA)
countries and those from countries who have reciprocal
health care agreements with the UK qualify for
NHS treatment.
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Students
who are not covered by the NHS provision should
take out private health insurance, which can be
obtained in the UK or in the student’s home
country. Special schemes are designed to meet
the needs of International students. Premiums
are low, but cover is generous.
- Full-time
International students from other countries qualify
for treatment under the National Health Service,
provided they are on courses of 6 months or longer
duration.
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Students’
dependants qualify in the same way as students.
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Registration
with a doctor
- To
obtain access to NHS treatment, students should register
with a local GP (General Practitioner) who provides primary
healthcare.
- The
GP will refer patients for specialist examination or treatment
to a Specialist (Consultant) when this is necessary.
- Many
GP’s are working in a Group Practice/Surgery/Health
Centre.
- Patients
normally have to make an appointment to see a doctor.
There are usually male and female doctors in a group practice,
and students can choose whom they wish to see.
Accident
& Emergency - 999
- Every
person in the UK is treated under the NHS in case of an
accident or emergency. Dial 999 on any telephone and ask
for an ambulance if necessary. The call is free.
- Students
who are admitted to hospital after treatment in the Accident
and Emergency Department will have to pay for staying
in hospital if they are not covered by the NHS. Costs
for hospital treatment are very high. You should, therefore,
take out private insurance to cover such costs if you
do not qualify for NHS treatment.
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- The
GP may prescribe medicines for you to take or
apply.
- All
students have to pay a charge for each item on
a prescription to the Chemist/Pharmacist who dispenses
the prescription unless they have a valid exemption
certificate.
- The
cost is not always the actual cost of the medicine
but a contribution to the general costs of the
NHS.
- Most
medicines cost much more than the standard charge,
but if an item costs less and can be bought without
a doctor’s prescription, then a Chemist/Pharmacist
may sell it to you direct.
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Dental
treatment
- Charges
for treatment by a Dentist (Dental Surgeon) under the
NHS depend upon the complexity of treatment required.
- Many
dentists no longer treat people under the NHS and charge
independent or private fees.
- Before
undergoing treatment, check that your Dentist works within
the NHS and will accept you as an NHS patient.
- There
are now very few NHS dentists in Leeds. The University
Health Centres have a list.
- To
receive treatment under the NHS you have to be registered
with a dentist who accepts NHS patients and make an appointment
to be treated.
Optical
treatment
- All
opticians charge for NHS eye tests.
- The
amount you have to pay may vary from one practitioner
to another.
- Find
out how much a test will cost and make an appointment.
- You
are not obliged to buy lenses and/or frames from the optician
who tested your sight. The optician has to give you his
assessment of your eye sight in writing and you can take
this to another optician and buy the lenses and/or frames.
- Students
may apply for exemption from NHS charges if their income
is very low. Application forms (HC1) are available in
Doctor’s Surgeries, Post Offices, the University
Health Centers, and the Student Services Office.
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