What is the NHS?
The National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly-funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom. The organisation provides the majority of healthcare in the UK, from general practitioners to Accident and Emergency Departments, long-term healthcare and dentistry.
The first step for getting NHS help, advice and treatment for most illnesses in the UK is a General Practitioner (GP).
What if you are HIV positive?
All UK cities, and many larger towns, have hospitals with specialist HIV clinics and Sexual Health clinics. These are often called Genito-Urinary Medicine, or GUM clinics. You can find your local GUM clinic or sexual health clinic on The NHS gateway www.nhs.uk
While we have no control over the content of this site, it is updated by reputable sources and contains up to date information.
If you are HIV positive, you will access HIV specialised services at an HIV clinic and/or your GP. GPs and HIV clinics are both able to help you with HIV-related illness.
Your nearest HIV clinic will be able to advise you on how to access its specialist health care.
More about GPs
A GP or family doctor is first place to call for health-related issues in the UK. The first step will be for the GP to treat your illness and prescribe medicines. If the GP can not treat you, the second step involves being given a follow up appointment with a more specialised doctor for specialised treatment or advice for conditions such as HIV.
If the GP can treat your condition, you will be given a drug prescription slip. You must take this to your nearest chemist to get the medication. Prescriptions are not usually free, you usually have to pay a prescription charge to get medicine from the chemist (unless your income is low or you are on welfare benefits).
Where to find a GP
GPs generally work in a GP surgery, or sometimes a private practice. If you want to know the location of your local GP you can ask your local chemist or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau in your area or online at The NHS Gateway mentioned previously. Once you have located a GP, you can visit their reception and ask to be registered.
Registering with the NHS
The receptionist or the practice manager in the surgery will inform you about their registration process when you arrive at the GP’s office. You will be required to fill in a form to register.
You may be offered temporary or permanent registration depending on your circumstances. Before you can register permanently your GP will need to determine your long-term health needs and your immigration status may affect your registration. Temporary registration may allow you to get treatment for an immediate illness if you can not register permanently.
Once you have a GP, you will be able to get prescriptions for medicines, medical examinations and immunisations. Your local Health Authority will also send you an NHS Card with your own personal number.
If you are not sure if you qualify for free services, take a look at the ‘Know Your Rights’ section.