B5 NHS (GP) Registration

How to See a Doctor in the UK & How to Register with a GP? (202510)

When we talk about “seeing a doctor in the UK”, we usually mean visiting a General Practitioner (GP)—a community-based doctor. You might also wonder: what is the NHS (National Health Service)?

To put it simply, the length of the term “NHS” says it all—it’s the “boss” here. In other words, NHS > GP, meaning GPs are part of the NHS; they belong to the same system.

The NHS is the UK’s national healthcare system, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading healthcare services. Most medical consultations are free, though dental treatment is not included in this free service.

Within the NHS, there are two main types of medical services: hospital-based care and GP (community) care. Under normal circumstances, people in the UK do not go to hospitals unless they have:

• A serious, life-threatening emergency (e.g., severe illness, major surgery), or

• A specific condition that GPs cannot treat.

Hospitals in the UK are often located far from residential areas, so you won’t see them easily in daily life. Unlike in China, you won’t find long queues of people waiting in hospitals—but “queuing” still exists in the form of waiting times. It may look empty, but you could end up waiting hours for treatment.

Thanks to the NHS, consultations with GPs and hospital visits are fully free in most cases. However, there is an exception: some prescription medicines prescribed by GPs may require a small fee.

Routine Healthcare: Visiting a GP

For common illnesses (e.g., colds, fevers), you will usually visit a local GP. GPs are similar to community clinics in China—small facilities with a few doctors and nurses. To see a GP:

• Booking in advance is required (typically by phone).

• Some GPs offer “walk-in” services (no appointment needed), but these often have extremely long waits (several hours) due to high demand.

If you book in advance:

• At less busy GPs, you can usually get an appointment for the next day.

• In some areas, waits may be 1–2 weeks (varies by location).

On the day of your appointment:

1. Arrive slightly early.

2. Notify the receptionist of your arrival (they will check you in), or use a self-service check-in machine if available.

A note on GP consultations: GPs in the UK rarely prescribe medicine for minor illnesses. Instead, they usually give lifestyle advice—such as “drink more water”, “exercise regularly”, or “adjust your diet”. For example:

• A friend told me her acquaintance had a high fever, but the GP only gave them a fan.

• Another person visited a GP for an unspecified issue and left with a few packs of chocolate.

This approach is common in many countries. Once, my landlord’s daughter’s child (aged 3–4) had a high fever. Her husband—a medical doctor with a PhD from a UK university—only used ice packs on the child’s forehead and a fan to cool them down. I witnessed this while we were having a BBQ in the garden.

Collecting Prescriptions

If a GP does prescribe medicine for you:

1. Take the prescription to any NHS-partnered pharmacy nearby.

2. Most medicines are free, but a small fee may apply for some (depending on the type of medicine and dosage).

To find a pharmacy:

• Search on Google Maps.

• To confirm if a pharmacy is NHS-partnered, check the NHS website or app.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

While NHS services remain free at the point of use, a change was introduced in April 2015: non-UK citizens must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)—essentially a “healthcare fee” to access NHS services. This fee is mandatory.

Who Needs to Pay?

All non-UK citizens applying for a UK visa (e.g., student visa, work visa) with a duration of over 6 months.

Cost

• The fee is several hundred pounds per year.

• Students pay a slightly lower rate (check the official website for the latest fees, as costs may change).

Payment Timing

The IHS must be paid alongside your visa application. To calculate your exact fee, use the official UK government tool (it will ask for details like your visa type and duration).

Step-by-Step Guide to Registering with a GP

Step 1: Find a Nearby or Suitable GP

1. Visit the NHS website to search for GPs near your address:

   https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp

2. Enter your UK postcode. This will show you the closest GPs.

3. Check GP ratings: The updated NHS website now hides ratings within each GP’s profile—you need to click into individual GPs to view reviews. You can also use Google to check ratings (most UK reviews are genuine).

4. Other options:

• You don’t have to choose the closest GP—prioritise high-rated ones if possible.

• Check your university’s website: Most universities recommend local GPs, and some even help students register collectively during orientation.

Step 2: Check the GP’s Registration Methods

Once you’ve selected a GP, check how to register (methods vary by GP):

Registration Method	Details
1. Online Registration	Not available for all GPs. Requires a direct link to the GP’s registration portal.
2. Phone Registration	Simple, but you may need to submit documents as requested by the GP.
3. Email Registration	Not available for all GPs. You will need to send required documents via email.
4. University Registration	Not available for all universities. The university handles the entire registration process for you.
5. In-Person Registration	The most straightforward option: Call the GP first to confirm, then visit with your documents and fill out a form.

Important Note: Online registration is only possible if the GP provides a dedicated link. Many students find registration confusing because they assume all GPs offer online sign-up—this is not the case. (Shi Sheng Miao has personal experience with this.)

For example: If a GP’s profile has a red box labeled “Visit GP surgery website”, this usually means online or email registration is available.

To register online (if available):

1. Click “Visit GP surgery website” on the GP’s NHS profile.

2. Look for a “Registration” tab on the GP’s homepage (if not visible, search for “registration” in the site’s search bar).

3. Fill out the online form and upload required documents (e.g., passport, BRP, proof of address—some GPs require this).

Step 3: Prepare Documents (for In-Person or Document-Upload Registration)

If registering in-person or online (with document uploads), prepare the following (confirm with your GP first—requirements may vary):

• Passport

• Electronic visa (and share code)

• Student confirmation letter

• Proof of address (e.g., a bank statement, utility bill, or tenancy agreement issued within the last 3 months—must show your name and UK address)

• Student ID card

You will also need to fill out a GMS1 form (the official NHS GP registration form):

• Download link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gms1

• You can also collect a free copy from the GP’s surgery (no need to print it yourself if you register in-person).

Step 4: Wait for Confirmation & Receive Your NHS Card

1. After submitting the GMS1 form and documents, you will be notified of your registration result via SMS or email.

2. If successful, you will receive a letter in the post within a few days containing your NHS number (and sometimes a physical NHS card).

• Note: Physical NHS cards are now mostly phased out—many GPs only provide an electronic NHS number. If you don’t receive a card, contact the GP to confirm registration success and request your NHS number.

3. Your NHS number is important, but if you forget it, GPs can look you up using your passport during appointments.

Reminder: If you move house, you must re-register with a GP near your new address—GPs in the UK only serve specific geographic areas.

How to Access Healthcare in the UK

Routine GP Appointments (Non-Emergencies)

1. Book an appointment via:

• Phone

• GP reception (in-person)

• Online (rare for most GPs)

• Email

2. The GP will send you a reminder (SMS/email) for your appointment time.

3. Arrive early and check in (via receptionist or self-service machine).

4. Special requests: If you prefer a male/female doctor, mention this when booking.

5. Bring documents: Passport, visa, student ID, and NHS card (if you have one).

6. GP opening hours: Most GPs are closed on weekends and public holidays. Check your GP’s hours via:

   https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp

Emergencies

• For non-life-threatening emergencies (e.g., sudden but not critical illness): Call 111 (NHS non-emergency line). It’s free, available 24/7, 365 days a year. If you struggle with English, tell the operator you need a Mandarin (or other language) interpreter.

• For life-threatening emergencies (e.g., heart attack, severe accident): Call 999 (UK emergency services). Ambulances will be dispatched, but note:

• Ambulance fees may apply in some cases (and can be expensive), while others are free.

Hospital Care Notes:

• NHS (public) hospitals: Free, but long waiting times. Some prescription medicines and emergency treatments may incur small fees.

• Private hospitals: Short waiting times, but costly.

Important Tips for Medications

1. Bring essential medicines from China:

• Many common medicines in China require a UK prescription to buy locally (e.g., hypertension drugs, contraceptive pills, antibiotics, heart disease medications, asthma inhalers). Chinese prescriptions are not valid in the UK.

• Pack basic medicines like cold remedies, antihistamines (for allergies), and anti-diarrheal drugs—these are often unavailable or hard to get in the UK without a prescription.

2. Avoid prohibited medicines: Check the UK Home Office’s official guidelines on restricted medications before traveling.
3. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):

• Do not bring large quantities of raw herbal TCM—this may cause issues at customs. Small amounts of processed TCM (e.g., tablets, pills) are usually allowed.

• TCM shops are common in UK cities (search on Google Maps, even with Chinese keywords). However, TCM in the UK is very expensive.

Dental Care in the UK

To see a dentist:

1. Register with a local dental practice.

2. Confirm the dentist provides NHS dental treatment (private dental care is much more expensive).

3. Find a nearby dentist via:

   www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-Dentist

Note: NHS dental treatment is not free—fees vary depending on the type of treatment (e.g., check-ups, fillings, extractions).

NHS Inform (for Scotland)

NHS Inform is a dedicated national healthcare information service for Scotland. It is the only authoritative, reliable source of high-quality healthcare advice for Scottish residents:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/

Remember: Staying healthy is the most important thing. As a popular saying goes, “Health is the ‘1’ in life—wealth, fame, love, and all other things are the ‘0s’ that follow. Without the ‘1’, all the ‘0s’ mean nothing.”