Healthcare

As a Keele student it is important that you register with a doctor (GP). Click here to find out more. 

Once you have registered with a Doctor (GP) you will then be able to make an appointment with them.  To do this you need to make sure that you call upon the opening time, this is usually 8 am in the morning.  Please be aware that this is essential as appointments tend to be taken very quickly.  If you call later in the day, you are unlikely to get an appointment. 

When you have an appointment is important that you attend. When you are with the Doctor (GP) you will only have 10 minutes with them so please be sure that you tell them everything that you need to so they can treat you appropriately, within the given timescale.  If you think that you need longer with the Doctor (GP) then you should say so when you are making the appointment. 

If you are prescribed medication, then you will be able to pick this up from a Pharmacy.  There is a pharmacy on campus called Well Pharmacy 

https://www.keele.ac.uk/study/campuslife/campusfacilities/pharmacy/ 

Your medication will cost around £10 per item of each medicine or appliance.  The Pharmacy will also be able to provide you with over-the-counter medicines and advice, flu and covid vaccinations and any other vaccinations such as HPV, Pneumonia, Meningitis B, Meningitis ACWY and Chickenpox. 

Urgent and emergency healthcare 

Where you can go for urgent and emergency care will depend on how serious your injury or condition is.  If you are not sure what to do, or need some further advice you should call 111 or get help from 111 online: https://111.nhs.uk/ 

 The NHS

The National Health Service (NHS) provides healthcare for British Citizens and those who have paid the immigration health surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application.  

For non life-threatening emergencies 

If you need medical attention but it's not a life-threatening situation, call 111 or get help from 111 online. 

NHS 111 can tell you what to do next. 

For severe and life-threatening emergencies call 999 for an ambulance 

Accident and emergency (A&E) is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies. The A&E Department can be found at Royal Stoke University Hospital. 

These are some of the things that you will need to go to A&E for: 

• signs of a heart attack 
  chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest 
• signs of a stroke 
  face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking 
• sudden confusion (delirium) 
  cannot be sure of own name or age 
• suicide attempt 
  by taking something or self-harming  
• severe difficulty breathing 
  not being able to get words out, choking or gasping 
• choking 
  on liquids or solids right now 
• heavy bleeding 
  spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle 
• severe injuries 
  after a serious accident or assault 
• seizure (fit) 
  shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (cannot be woken up) 
• sudden, rapid swelling 
  of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue 

Minor injury's contact 111 or visit the Haywood Walk in centre.  You can be treated at the Haywood walk-in centre for: 

• Wounds 
• Rashes 
• Ear infections
• Sprains and strains
• Suspected fractures
• Minor burns 

Medication from home/prescriptions

If you regularly take medication for an on-going condition at home, it is a good idea to bring 2 – 3 months worth of the medication with you. When you arrive, you will need to make an appointment with your new UK doctor (we would advise you to take your current prescription/letter from your home doctor, with an English translation if required) so that they can continue your supply of medication.

In England, most people need to pay for prescriptions. The current cost is £9.90 per prescription item. If you know you'll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). Its effectively a prescription "season ticket". There are two PPCs: 

• 3-month PPC – £32.05 
• 12-month PPC – £114.50 

Ask your local Pharmacist for more information.

Insurance 

Even if you are entitled to free NHS treatment whilst in the UK, you should consider taking out insurance which covers other medical-related costs. An insurance policy may cover, for example: 

lost fees if you are unable to complete your course; 

costs of returning home if a relative is ill; 

costs of a relative visiting you in the UK if you fall ill; 

cost of returning to your home country for treatment; 

There is often a long wait for NHS treatment, sometimes many months. An insurance policy which gives you access to private medical care could give you much quicker access to the treatment you need. 

If you already have medical insurance in your home country, check whether you can extend it to cover your stay in the UK, as well as looking at options available from UK insurers.