Health Issues

You can get FREE health care form the National Health Service (NHS) if you are:

• an EU student
• an overseas student who is on a course of six months or more
• a national (list A), or a resident (list B) from one of the following countries which have reciprocal health agreements with the UK

Please check with your Embassy or High Commission whether a reciprocal agreement is still in force and the types of treatment you are covered for.

Treatment is generally limited to needs that arise during your stay in the UK . You can take out special insurance cover for additional medical expenses.

You can get more information from the Department of Health:

http://www.dh.gov.uk

Doctors (GPs)

You will be able to register at a local doctors surgery when you arrive at Hartpury College. This can be done through our Welfare Officer. If you do not register and fall ill, you may be liable to pay for treatment.

If medicine is prescribed, then there will be a charge for each prescription, unless you are under 19 and on a full-time course, in which case it is free.

Dentists

If you register with an NHS (National Health Service) dentist and are a full time overseas student aged under 19, then your dental treatment is free.

If you are 19 and over, then you will have to contribute a certain amount of money towards your dental treatment. Many dentists only accept private patients, so you must check, prior to treatment, whether he/she will accept NHS patients.

Opticians

There is a cost for an eye test, but this will vary between opticians. Full-time students under the age of 19 years are eligible for free eye tests. Should you need spectacles, you will be expected to pay for them. A range of reasonably priced National Health Service frames is available to all customers.

Hospital Treatment

You will not need to pay for treatment if your doctor refers you to hospital, but if any medicine is prescribed on leaving hospital there will be a charge.