Medical Services in the UK

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Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if you have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) such as a new continuous cough, fever, and/or loss of or change in smell or taste. Please click here for additional COVID-19 information for U.S. citizens in the UK.

Visitors to England will not be charged by the NHS for testing or treatment related to coronavirus.

Please see our COVID-19 testing providers page for a list of potential test providers if you require a COVID-19 test for travel to the U.S. Please note, NHS COVID-19 test results are not acceptable to use for travel purposes.

If you require a letter from a medical professional as a form of “documentation of recovery” from COVID-19 in order to travel to the U.S., you may need to speak to a private medical provider as these letters are not widely available through the NHS in the United Kingdom.  Some medical services that may be able to assess recovery include:

Dr. Charlie Easmon
Medical Director
Your Excellent Health Service, 1 Harley St, London W1G 9QD
+44 (0)20 7580 5467
charlie@yourexcellenthealth.org

Nicola Stewart
Medical Secretary
Spire Health, Multiple Locations
+44 (0)80 8239 9290
Nicola.Stewart@spirehealthcare.com

SameDayDoctor
Multiple Locations
0207 631 0090

What to do if you have a medical emergency in the United Kingdom

If you experience or witness a medical emergency requiring an ambulance, dial 999 immediately. Paramedics will give any appropriate on-the-spot treatment then proceed to the closest National Health Service (NHS) hospital suitable for the emergency. If you are in the United States and you need to call the UK emergency services on behalf of someone in the UK, dial 011 44 999.

In the UK, a hospital’s emergency room (ER) is called Accident and Emergency (A&E). If you have a medical emergency requiring A&E treatment and you can get to hospital without an ambulance, you should do so.

Click here to find an A&E in England
Click here to find an A&E in Wales
Click here to find an A&E in Northern Ireland
Click here to find an A&E in Scotland

If you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do, you can call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk.

IMPORTANT: Anyone in the UK can receive treatment at an NHS facility, no matter their residency status. However, tourist visitors to the UK do not typically qualify for free NHS treatment. Any care beyond emergency treatment and certain other services will likely incur a fee. Medicare and Medicaid do not provide coverage for medical care outside the United States.


How to obtain non-emergency medical care in the UK

Due to the impact of COVID-19, some medical facilities and services may be temporarily unavailable, or operating different hours. You can contact them before attending to find out about service availability and social distancing rules.

NHS doctors (GPs), pharmacies, dentists, opticians, mental health, and other health services

Remember, anyone in the UK can access treatment at NHS medical facilities. However, non-emergency NHS services may not be free for visitors to the UK.

A physician that can treat all common medical conditions, prescribe medication, and refer patients for specialist treatment is known as a GP in the UK. It stands for General Practitioner. If you need a GP you can ask your hotel to contact their on-call doctor, ask friends or relatives you are staying with for help contacting their GP, or check the lists below.

Pharmacists in the UK are highly trained and can diagnose many ailments, dispense over-the counter medication, and provide general medical advice. Pharmacies are also known as chemists in the UK.


Private medical treatment

If you choose to seek medical check ups, consultations, tests, or treatment on a private basis (not NHS), you may be seen more quickly. However, private medical fees can be expensive. Private hospitals in the UK do not have emergency facilities.

Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the above lists. Inclusion on a list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.

You can search a business directory such as Thomsons Local or Yell to find more local options.

General Medical Clinics

YEHS (Your Excellent Health Service)
Health screens, occupational health, corporate health advice, vaccinations, medical certificates
1 Harley Street, London W1G 9QD
0207 580 5467
charlie@yourexcellenthealth.org

COVID-19 Testing and Recovery

Dr. Charlie Easmon
Medical Director
Your Excellent Health Service, 1 Harley St, London W1G 9QD
+44 (0)20 7580 5467
charlie@yourexcellenthealth.org

Nicola Stewart
Medical Secretary
Spire Health, Multiple Locations
+44 (0)80 8239 9290
Nicola.Stewart@spirehealthcare.com

SameDayDoctor
Multiple Locations
0207 631 0090

Gastroenterologist

Dr. Ray Shidrawi, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FACP, FEBG
Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist
Wellington Hospital, South Building, Wellington Place, London NW8 9LE
0207 483 5100
michelle.biller@hcahealthcare.co.uk

General Surgery

Dr. Nadey S. Hakim
Consultant General, Transplant and Bariatric Surgeon
100 Harley Street London W1G 7JA
0785 050 3297
hakimn@ccf.org 

Mental Health

Nightingale Hospital
General mental health, eating disorders, and addictions
0207 535 7700
info@nightingalehospital.co.uk

Vicky Reynal
Psychotherapist
Offices of Southbank Counselling, China Works, 100 Black Prince Road, London SE1 7SJ
07305 751 090
vicky.reynal@yahoo.com

The Soke
Range of mental health issues including addiction, eating disorders, depression and anxiety
241 Fulham Road
Chelsea
London SW3 6HY
020 7139 5051
reception@thesoke.uk 

Obstetrician and Gynaecology

Dr. Ramesan Navaratnarajah
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Babyinc, 35 Devonshire Place, London W1G 6JP
0207 935 6500
mail@babyinc.co.uk

Osteopathy

London Osteo Clinic
28-29 Wilcox Close, London SW8 2UD
07971260140
alexdesmonstiers@londonosteoclinic.com

Osteopaths

Dr. James Sumerfield, DO
Harley Street Osteopaths, Sixth Floor 103-105 Harley Street, London W1G 6AJ
0207 935 7835
mail@hso-london.co.uk

Paediatrics

Dr. Jack Singer, MD FRCPH
Pinero House, 115A Harley Street, London W1G 6AR
0207 935 2023
paediatrics@hotmail.co.uk

Private Hospitals

BMI Healthcare
Various locations
0808 163 5385

Cromwell Hospital
164-168 Cromwell Road, London SW5 0TU
0207 460 5700

HCA Healthcare UK
Various locations
020 3993 2119

Nuffield Health
Various locations
0333 311 4207

Parkside Private Hospital
53 Parkside, Wimbledon, London, SW19 5NX
0203 925 6640

Urologists

Dr. Christopher Ogden
Consultant Urological Surgeon – diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer
18 Devonshire Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 7AQ
0207 603 6067
thelondonurologists@hcahealthcare.co.uk

Alpha Health Services
Private GP services, counseling, DVLA medicals, functional therapy, occupational health, and training services.
Ground Floor Provender House, 37 Waterloo Quay, Aberdeen AB11 5BS
01224 596022

BMI Albyn Hospital
Private GP services, medicals, and specialist private clinics, including hip and knee surgery, eye surgery, cardiology, gynaecology, and paediatric services.
21-24 Albyn Place, Aberdeen AB10 1RW
01224 466 986

BUPA pay as you go private healthcare
Private GP services, dental services, health assessments, physiotherapy, and muscle, joints and bone services.
Various locations

City Health Clinic
Screenings, medicals, and occupational health services.
NHS and private dental care, including emergency treatment, orthodontics, and sedation.
51 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH 2DJ
0131 228 9241 (medical)
0131 228 2442 (dental)

The Edinburgh Clinic
Private GP services, anaesthetics, cardiology, cosmetic surgery, depression, dermatology, eye clinic, gynaecology, health screening, orthopaedics, varicose vein treatment and more.
40 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5BT
0131 447 2340

Glasgow Medical Rooms
Private GP services, counselling, hypnotherapy, men’s health, occupational health, physiotherapy, psychology, tinnitus clinic, women’s health
211 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5QY
0141 225 0140

Glasgow Private Clinic
Private GP, audiology, gynaecology, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychiatry, ultrasound, vascular services and more.
85 Seres Road, Glasgow, G76 7NW
07521 813800

GP Matters
GP services, medicals, vaccinations, screenings, and private blood/urine tests.
87 Barrington Drive, Glasgow G4 9ES
0141 339 0894

GP-Plus Ltd
GP services, medicals, vaccinations, screenings, and occupational health services.
24 Dundas Street, Edinburgh EH3 6JN
0345 1196 049

MedicSpot Clinic Edinburgh Clerk Street
Private GP services (including online consultations), allergies, ear, nose and throat, infections, mental health, sexual health and more.
46-48 Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9JB
0131 667 2368

MedicSpot Clinic Glasgow City Centre
Private GP services (including online consultations), allergies, ear, nose and throat, infections, mental health, sexual health and more.
128 High Street, Glasgow, G1 1PQ
0141 552 5929

ROC Private Clinic 
Private GP services, breast care, cardiology, child care, corporate health, dermatology, expat health, fatigue, gynaecology, men’s health, mental health, minor surgery, nutrition, pregnancy, sexual health, sports medicine, student health, travel health, women’s health and more.
Westhill Business Park, Westhill, Aberdeen
01224 515 254

Spire Healthcare GP
Private GP services, allergies, blood tests, bowel treatments, breast screening, cancer investigation and treatment, gastroenterology, hips and knees, joint care, men’s health, neurology, paediatrics, pain management, physiotherapy, women’s health and more.
Various locations

Your GP
Private GP services, allergy testing, cosmetics, gender clinic, sexual health and vaccinations. 
Waterside House, 19 Hawthorn Bank Lane, Edinburgh, EH4 3BH
0131 225 5656

Andrew Scott Dental Care
14A Victoria Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1XB
01224 806 700

Bruntsfield Dental
226 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4DE
0131 229 3040

Complete Dental Care
253 Paisley Road West, Glasgow, G51 1NB
0141 427 0296

Dentistry on the Square
12 Niddrie Square, Glasgow, G42 8QE
0141 530 3924

Edinburgh Dental Studio
6 Randolph Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7TE
0131 226 3725

G1 Dental
54 Dundas Street, Glasgow, G1 2AQ
0141 332 6332

King Street Dental Practice
173 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5AE
01224 640 759

Stafford Street Dental Clinic
24 Stafford Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7BR
0131 225 7576

The Dental Practice
21 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen, AB10 1XE
01224 641773

Air Ambulance Services and Medical Escorts

Aeromed
01293 691 050 (24 hours)

  • Air ambulance, commercial airline and ground ambulance options.
  • Bed-to-bed transfer.
  • Medical escorts.
  • Case management to coordinate transfer of care.

Aeromed Transfer and Teach
0203 633 8483
assist@aerotandt.com

  • Commercial airline (seated or stretcher) and ground ambulance options.
  • Medical escorts.

Air Ambulance 1
1 832 900 9000
Dispatch@airambulance1.com

  • Private air ambulance jet and commercial airline (seated or stretcher) options, including neonatal.
  • Medical escorts.

CEGA Air Ambulance UK Limited
01243 219 600

  • Air ambulance, commercial airline, and ground ambulance transfer options.
  • Bed-to-bed transfers.
  • Medical escorts.
  • Multilingual staff.
  • Repatriation of accompanying family and friends.

Global Air Ambulance
001-800-948-1220

  • Air ambulance, commercial airline, and ground ambulance transfer options.
  • Medical escorts.
  • COVID-related repatriation experience.

IAS Medical
0800 799 9900

  • Air ambulance service and ground ambulance transfer.
  • Bed-to-bed transfer.
  • Case management to coordinate transfer of care.
  • Medical escorts.

MedResQ Ltd.
0208 706 0810 (24 hours)

  • Air ambulance and commercial airline.
  • Case management to coordinate transfer of care.
  • Medical escorts (including intensive care and palliative care support).

Trinity Air Ambulance International
1-954 771 7911 (24 hours)

  • Air ambulance and commercial airline transport.
  • Case management to coordinate transfer of care.
  • Medical escorts.

U.S. Air Ambulance
1 800 633 5384 (24 hours)

  • Air ambulance, commercial airline (seated or stretcher) and ground ambulance options, including rail.
  • Case management to coordinate transfer of care.
  • Medical escorts.

By Commercial Airlines


American Airlines
Online contact form

  • You should contact the airline at least 48 hours in advance.
  • Adjacent seating for care attendant.
  • Can provide wheelchairs and mobility assistance to and from the aircraft.
  • Can travel with portable oxygen concentrator (POC) and battery powered devices.
  • Disassembly and packing service for mobility assistive devices.

British Airways
0800 408 1100

  • You should contact the airline at least 48 hours in advance.
  • Can provide wheelchairs and assistance to and from the aircraft.
  • Transport for wheelchairs and mobility aids.

Delta
1 404 209 3434
Online contact form

  • Contact the airline in advance.
  • Can provide wheelchairs and assistance to and from the aircraft.

United Airlines
1 800 228 2744 (if calling from the United States; 24 hours)
0207 136 0582 (if calling from the UK; 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily)

  • Contact the airline in advance.
  • Can provide wheelchairs and assistance to and from the aircraft.
  • Can travel with portable oxygen concentrator (POC) and battery powered devices.

Virgin Atlantic
Special_Assistance@fly.virgin.com

  • Contact the airline in advance.
  • Can provide wheelchairs and assistance to and from the aircraft.
  • Can travel with portable oxygen concentrator (POC) and battery powered devices.

Please submit a message using our contact form including the below information:

  • Name of company
  • Telephone number for UK callers and hours
  • U.S. based telephone (if applicable)
  • Email address
  • Website
  • A brief description of services offered

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about medical treatment and prescriptions in the UK

The NHS operates a residence based healthcare system. Most NHS services are free to people who are ordinarily resident in the UK. Ordinarily resident is defined by the NHS as “living in the UK on a lawful and properly settled basis for the time being.” If you are moving to the UK, you should register with a local GP.

If you are visiting the UK and you need treatment, you can apply to register with a GP as a temporary patient as long as you are in the area for more than 24 hours but fewer than 3 months.

Click on the relevant link below for information about NHS entitlement, and for NHS contact information if you have further questions:

NHS eligibility if you are visiting or moving to England.
Please note, students may qualify for help with healthcare costs. You can call 030 0330 1343 to discuss the options available to you.
NHS eligibility if you are visiting or moving to Wales.
NHS eligibility if you are visiting or moving to Northern Ireland.
NHS eligibility if you are visiting or moving to Scotland (including information about free NHS healthcare for full time students in Scotland).

We strongly recommend that visitors to the United Kingdom obtain travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage before traveling. This is because tourists do not qualify for free non-emergency medical care under the NHS, and embassies and consulates have no funds available to pay for medical bills. Furthermore, the Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States.

If you have a travel insurance plan, make sure you check the details to ensure you have coverage for hospitalization abroad and medical evacuation back to the United States.

If you have a pre-existing condition, we recommend that you carry a letter from your physician listing the diagnosis and any medicine you take, including the generic names of prescribed drugs. Medications should be left in their original containers and clearly labelled.

Please visit the UK government’s website for further information, including a list of controlled drugs.

We do not recommend that you send or receive prescription medicines through the post as they will be subject to UK customs, which may not permit the posting of certain controlled medications.

If you will be in the UK for an extended period, if your medication runs out, or if you need a new course of treatment, you should seek assistance from a medical practitioner in the UK. General information on filling a prescription abroad and other health issues may be found at travel.state.gov. Some lists of medical practitioners in the UK are provided on this webpage.

We are unable to assist you because medical services at the Embassy are only for Department of State employees and their families. Please contact your agent on base for information about medical options.

England

If your NHS treatment took place in England, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) may be able to provide support and guidance if you cannot resolve your concern with the hospital’s administration department. Information about PALS is provided on the NHS website, including information about what to do if you want to make a formal complaint about your experience with the NHS.

Wales

If you have a complaint about your NHS experience in Wales, visit the NHS Wales website for information about how to raise your concerns.

Northern Ireland

Visit NI Direct for information about how to make a complaint about NHS services in Northern Ireland.

Scotland

The NHS Inform website explains how to provide feedback and receive guidance about NHS services in Scotland, including information about the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS).

Please visit healthcare.gov for information about the Affordable Care Act (ACA),

For information about tax provisions related to ACA, see the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.

Disclaimer – Footer

This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in The United Kingdom. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

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