Health Insurance

The NHS (National Health Service) is the UK's state health service which provides treatment for UK residents through a wide range of health care services.  Students studying in Scotland for a course of any duration are entitled to free health care.  You will qualify for NHS treatment from the beginning of your stay on the same basis as anyone who is ordinarily resident in the UK. 

When you arrive in Dundee, you must register with a GP (General Practitioner).  Please see our student services website for further details on how to do this.  Your GP, who will be based at your local doctor’s surgery, should be your first point of contact if you feel unwell.  However, in the case of an emergency or if you require immediate assistance (e.g. if an accident occurs), please dial 999 immediately.  This is like dialling 911 in the USA and you will be able to request an ambulance.  This number is free from both cell phones and land lines.

Some (but not all) hospitals have Accident and Emergency departments. These departments are open 24 hours a day and deal with patients needing emergency treatment.  There is an A&E department based in Ninewells hospital in Dundee.
 
If a doctor recommends a medicine, they may write a prescription for you. The prescription authorises a pharmacist to give you a particular medicine. You can get the medicine from the pharmacy counter at chemist's shops, or in the pharmacy department of larger shops and supermarkets.  In Scotland there is no charge for a prescription that is used in the same country where it was issued. 

For further and more detailed information about health care, please visit the UKCISA website.  We advise that all students read this information carefully.