HEALTHCARE IN THE UK As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can sell over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses. Over-the-counter medicines do not require a prescription from a GP. The pharmacist may ask the customer questions about their symptoms before recommending a suitable over-the-counter medicine. Pharmacists also dispense medicines from NHS prescriptions. Most pharmacies have a private consultation room for those who would like privacy when discussing their symptoms. A pharmacist will advise a visit to a GP if symptoms suggest an issue could be something more serious.
Healthcare in the United Kingdom is provided free at the point of use to all UK residents by the National Health Service (NHS). There are also many independent healthcare services, including private practices, clinics and hospitals, available to people who have private medical insurance or who wish to pay for their care. In this article, we’ll look at the healthcare options available to expatriates living in the UK. The NHS is a publicly funded healthcare system, and most NHS services are free to people who are ordinarily resident in the UK. This means living in the UK ‘on a lawful and properly settled basis’ for the time being. Overseas visitors may be charged for NHS services. Some countries, including Australia and New Zealand, have reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK, which allows expatriates from those countries free access to NHS services for a limited period. Regardless of reciprocal healthcare agreements, some NHS services are free to all visitors, including Accident & Emergency services (although emergency treatment if admitted to hospital is not free), treatment for most infectious diseases and some family planning services. Primary care services, including prescriptions for medicines, are provided in the UK by NHS GP clinics. A GP (general practitioner) is an expert in family medicine, preventative care, health education, and treating people with multiple and long-term conditions.
ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE SERVICES Expatriates living and working in the UK can register with an NHS GP practice by filling out a GMS1 form (available to download at www.gov. uk) using the same details they used for their visa. Expatriates registered with an NHS GP practice may be invited for NHS screening services, but they may have to pay for these services when they’re not provided by the GP practice. Outside of the NHS, there are many private GP clinics that offer primary care services for a fee. Many expatriates are offered private medical insurance by their employer, but it is important to note that visits to a GP clinic may not be covered by private medical insurance. It is imperative that employees find out what is and isn’t included in their coverage. Expatriates who work for large organisations may be provided with access to private primary care services, either on site or at a local private GP clinic. This is often the case within the law, banking and financial services sectors, where employers wish to ensure that their employees can get rapid access to primary care services.
THE ROLE OF PHARMACIES Free clinical advice about common minor illnesses is available to everyone in the UK at high-street pharmacies and pharmacies inside large supermarkets. Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends, and advance appointments are not necessary. Minor illnesses that pharmacists can advise on include aches and pains, earache, red eye, sore throat and skin rashes. They can also provide advice on how to take medicines safely and general lifestyle advice for healthy living.
REFERRALS FOR SECONDARY CARE When a GP has reason to believe a patient’s condition warrants further investigation, they will either refer them to a specialist clinic or to a consultant, who is an expert in that specific area of medicine. 27
