Entitlement to NHS Treatment
The NHS is the UK’s state health service which provides treatment for UK residents. Some services are free, other have to be paid for. The regulations that govern who can and can’t receive treatment are complex and may change.
If you have any questions relating to entitlement to treatment under the NHS please contact the Practice.
Free Services
GP and Nurse consultations in primary care, treatment provided by a GP and other primary care services are free of charge to all, whether registering as an NHS patient, or as a temporary patient (which is when the patient is in the area for more than 24 hours and less than 3 months).
For secondary care services, the UK’s healthcare system is a residence based one, which means entitlement to free healthcare is based on living lawfully in the UK on an approved and settled basis. The measure of residence that the UK uses to determine entitlement to free NHS healthcare is known as ‘ordinary residence’. This requires non-EEA nationals subject to immigration control, to also have the immigration status of ‘indefinite leave to remain’. Individuals who are not ordinarily resident in the UK may be required to pay for their care when they are in England. However, some services and some individuals are exempt from payment.
The following NHS treatment is available to anyone:
- Treatment in an emergency (but not follow up treatment)
- Treatment of certain communicable diseases
- Compulsory psychiatric treatment
GPs are the first point of contact for virtually all NHS patients:
- They can direct you to other NHS services and are experts in family medicine, preventative care, health education, and treating people with multiple and long-term conditions
- If you’re planning to live and work in England, you need to register with a local GP
- Being registered with a GP Practice does not in itself mean you’ll be entitled to free NHS hospital treatment
- You’ll need to fill out a GMS1 form (PDF, 156kb) using exactly the same details you used when you filled out your visa
- If you’re in England for a short visit but need to see a GP, you can register as a temporary patient with a local Doctor – to do this, you need to be in the area for more than 24 hours but less than 3 months
- Treatment will be free of charge, but make sure you present your Global Insurance Card if you have one
Medical emergencies
If you need immediate medical assistance (e.g. because of an accident) telephone 999. The call is free. An Operator will ask you which emergency service you require (Fire, Police or Ambulance). You will need to tell the emergency services what has happened and where you are. If someone is injured and needs to go to Hospital, an ambulance will be sent out to pick the patient up and take them to the nearest Hospital that has an Accident & Emergency Department.
If you need urgent treatment but are well enough to travel please make your own way to the nearest Accident & Emergency Department.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
Attending a busy GP Practice as a patient can be an anxious and worrying time for you. We aim to make your time here as short and as simple as possible and the following should help to explain what you, as a patient, can expect from our staff and what we, the staff, can expect from you.
Your Doctor’s Responsibilities
- To treat you with respect and courtesy at all times
- To treat you as an individual, and to discuss with you the care and treatment we can provide
- To give you full information on the services we offer
- To give you the most appropriate care by suitably qualified staff
- To provide you with emergency care when you need it
- To refer you to a suitable Consultant when necessary
- To give you access to your health records, subject to any limitations in the law
Your Responsibilities as a Patient
- To treat all staff with respect and courtesy at all times
- To tell us if you are unsure about the treatment we are offering you
- To ask for a home visit only when you are unable to attend the Practice through illness or infirmity
- To request such a visit before 10.00 am, if possible
- To ask for an out-of- hours visit only when necessary
- Please ensure that you order your repeat medication in plenty of time allowing 48 working hours for your request to be processed
- To keep to your appointment time (note: if you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment you may not be seen)
- To notify us at least 24 hours prior to an appointment if you cannot attend
- To notify us of any changes to your personal details (e.g. name, address, telephone number, mobile numbers etc).
ZERO TOLERANCE
It is our policy to be helpful and polite to all our patients regardless of age, ethnic origin, disability, gender or sexual orientation. We expect the same courtesy from our patients. Discriminatory, unsocial, threatening, violent or abusive behaviour towards staff, other patients or the premises will not be tolerated. The Practice will take action in these circumstances, which may involve the Police and result in the removal of the patient from our Practice list.
In England, please refer to NHS Constitution your rights and responsibilities for further information.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.
Further information and guidance about Patient Advice and Liaison Service from NHS UK