An asylum seeker is someone who comes to the UK, often fleeing persecution, torture or war, and applies for refugee status.
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An asylum seeker is someone who comes to the UK, often fleeing persecution, torture or war, and applies for refugee status. Until refugee status is granted, such a person remains an asylum seeker and may be entitled to accommodation and support.
You can find health guidance and information about NHS entitlements at GOV.UK.
You may be entitled to free NHS healthcare including seeing a doctor or receiving hospital treatment.
If you receive Asylum Support from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), you're entitled to an HC2 certificate.
If you have a HC2 certificate, you can get:
A General Practitioner (GP) is the first doctor you will usually visit when accessing healthcare in the UK. GPs are highly skilled doctors who are trained in all aspects of general medicine including for children and mental health.
Practice nurses are qualified and registered nurses who usually run clinics for long-term conditions such as diabetes.
Other healthcare professionals also work in a GP practice, for example pharmacists and physiotherapists.
We will help you register with a GP surgery, also called a practice, near to where you are living as soon as possible, even if you are not currently ill. You can use the NHS website to find out how to register with a GP surgery.
GP surgeries may ask to see proof of identity with your name and date of birth (such as your passport or recognised identity card) and proof of address. However, they cannot refuse to register you if these are not available.
After you have registered with your new GP, you might be asked to have a health check. This will usually be carried out by a nurse. It is important that you go to this appointment even if you are well.
If you move to a different part of the UK, you will need to register with a new GP. You can only be registered with one GP practice.
Your GP may want you to take medicines and will write you a prescription. Take your prescription to the pharmacy or chemist. You can visit the NHS website to find your local pharmacy or ask for advice at your GP surgery. You may be charged for prescription medicines.
Pharmacists can give free advice on treating minor health problems, such as colds and coughs.
You can buy some medicines from the pharmacy without a prescription, including some painkillers and cough medicines.
If you or a family member has an accident or a sudden serious illness, you should go to your nearest hospital with an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department which is free for everyone.
If it is an extreme emergency, call 999 and ask for an ambulance to transport you to a hospital. This service is free of charge and should only be used in an emergency. If you are able to, you may also make your own way to the A&E department. Do not use A&E for minor medical problems.
Once your medical situation has been stabilised in the A&E department, you may need to stay in hospital until you have fully recovered and can return home.
If you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation, call NHS 111.
Mental health problems range from the worries we all experience as part of everyday life to serious long-term conditions.
Anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression are the most common problems. If you have been feeling depressed for more than a few weeks or your anxiety is affecting your daily life, make an appointment to speak to your doctor.
Advice and details of support services are available on:
All maternity care is covered by the NHS for an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payer. This includes:
Due to the severe health risks associated with conditions such as eclampsia and pre-eclampsia, and to protect the lives of both mother and unborn baby, all maternity services will be treated as being immediately necessary. No one must ever be denied, or have delayed, maternity services due to charging issues.
Maternity services cover care from the beginning of pregnancy through to sign off by a midwife. This is usually around 10 days after the birth but can be up to 6 weeks postnatally.
Anyone settling in the UK should contact a GP or midwife as soon as you find out you're pregnant. It's important to see a midwife or GP as early as possible to get the pregnancy (antenatal) care and information you need to have a healthy pregnancy.
The NHS website provides all you need to know about pregnancy, labour, birth and NHS maternity services.
You can find out what financial support you may be entitled to at GOV.UK.