NHS enquiry: Greetings, Next month I am... - NHS England: A Ca...

NHS England: A Call to Action

407 posts

NHS enquiry

anneofgg profile image
3 Replies

Greetings, Next month I am coming to England for a year from New Zealand. I am wondering how do we get an NHS number or whatever you need there to see a doctor? I am 61 and my husband is 74. Hope you can help.

Written by
anneofgg profile image
anneofgg
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .

The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.

3 Replies
Treepie profile image
Treepie

Google " Reciprocal Healthcare arrangements for visitors to the United Kingdom"

Depending on the purpose of your visit you may be eligible for NHS treatment that is free at the point of access, i.e. when you visit a General Practitioner or a NHS hospital. And, in that case, you'll need to visit a GP surgery close to where you are living in order to show your eligibility in some way and to register. You should do that shortly after moving here to prevent difficulties in the event of any medical emergency, and you can just call in during opening hours to see the admin staff. Registering will start the process of getting you an NHS number, which should then eventually reach you by post.

If you are not eligible, you can just visit any GP surgery which accepts private patients, and pay for your treatment as and when you need it.

That's for routine treatment. In the event of a serious emergency, all hospital treatment is cost-free for everyone, but if not eligible for NHS services, again, you'd have to pay for planned surgery.

Hope this helps and that you have a great year in UK.

in reply to

NHS (charges to overseas visitors) Regulations 2015. Care in the A&E department or equivalent is free of charge to everyone, but once a person is admitted or returns as an outpatient, charges would apply to any person that is not usually resident in the UK, unless an exemption applies. It is not the emergency nature of the care that makes it free if charge, the location on the hospital does.

I.e. person falls down stairs and fractures spine, emergency reason for accessing the NHS, but admitted for care and so chargeable.

In the case of NZ, reciprocal health agreement applies, and I think this one required the individual to prove they are usually resident in NZ.

The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Present state of NHS

Well my friends as the news says another winter and our NHS is struggling to meet demand. The...

Changes to NHS complaints system

Hi everyone I just got a basic copy of the meeting in London concerning the proposed future changes...

Service criteria

Following a recent accident it has transpired /or come to light that the criteria for many NHS...

THE NHS the Grim Reaper ? An Open e - mail to the BBC & NHS re : NO TESTING for certain conditions e.g: prostrate cancer , backs etc

I am horrified that you appear to be colluding with the NHS who thinks health is an exact science...

What about Meningitis re Closure of A&Es from Potential Bed blocker classed as Vulnerable yet ignored by the System

Anaesthetists who often run Pain & Walk in clinics UK are following contracts & remits to ignore...