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British Council learning home
Doctor smiling. Image © Tim Hall
Arrival and settling in
The first week in school
Finding accommodation
Induction courses
Health care
Money matters
Travel and entertainment
Health care
Helping you stay healthy in the UK

INFORMATION FOR ALL ASSISTANTS
You must register with a local National Health Service (NHS) doctor’s surgery as soon as you arrive in the UK. Teachers at your school may be able to recommend one near your school. If not, try searching the National Health Service's website for local health services.

You will have to give them your National Insurance (NI) number when you register. For more information see the information we provide on National Insurance on the Money Matters page.

You must register with a doctor as soon as you arrive. It will be much more difficult to do this when you are already ill!

Some doctor’s surgeries already have a high number of registered patients and may not accept new patients.

Visiting the doctor is free of charge, but you will have to pay for the following: -

prescriptions (£7.10 per item)
dental treatment
eye care/optician.

ASSISTANTS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
You are entitled to treatment under the National Health Service (NHS) on the same basis as UK residents.

Whilst you are earning a salary in the UK, you can get a European Health Insurance Card which will entitle you to free emergency treatment when you return home or when you visit another EU country in the holidays during the period of your appointment.

ASSISTANTS FROM OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN UNION
You are allowed free emergency treatment but some doctors may not offer other medical services free of charge. We recommend you take out private insurance before leaving your home country, as private treatment in the UK is very expensive.

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