Crossing borders Introduction to the National Health service (NHS)

Background: NHS was set-up in 1948 NHS was set-up in 1948 Now the largest organisation in Europe the Now the largest organisation in Europe the It compromises of different organisations that work with each other to provide many different health services It compromises of different organisations that work with each other to provide many different health services It is funded by taxation It is funded by taxation All information about you and your medical care is strictly confidential All information about you and your medical care is strictly confidential

Rights to health care Individuals with refugee status/indefinite right to remain are entitled to free health care Individuals with refugee status/indefinite right to remain are entitled to free health care Asylum seekers are entitled to free health care while their claim is being considered Asylum seekers are entitled to free health care while their claim is being considered

Obtaining free health care If you are an asylum seeker awaiting a claim you should contact the national asylum support service to obtain a HC2 form If you are an asylum seeker awaiting a claim you should contact the national asylum support service to obtain a HC2 form You can also get these from local pharmacies You can also get these from local pharmacies Completing this form allows you free access to medicines, glasses, eye tests, dental treatments etc. Completing this form allows you free access to medicines, glasses, eye tests, dental treatments etc.

Structure: The NHS can be broadly split into two areas: The NHS can be broadly split into two areas: 1) Primary care 2) Secondary care

Structure

Who do you go to if you or your family is ill? If you are worried about your’s or your families health you should see a local doctor If you are worried about your’s or your families health you should see a local doctor These are known as general practitioners or GP’s These are known as general practitioners or GP’s They work in healthcare centres or sugerys They work in healthcare centres or sugerys

Registering at a GP When you want to seek health advice you will need to register at a GP When you want to seek health advice you will need to register at a GP You should provide: 1) Name and Date of birth 2) Address and telephone number 3) Sometimes a medical history

GP’s in the local area *REFER TO SESSION OUTLINE FOR THIS SECTION*!!!

Making an appointment Usually you can’t just turn up to your GP!!! Usually you can’t just turn up to your GP!!! You should telephone or go there in person to arrange an appointment You should telephone or go there in person to arrange an appointment You may request to see a female/male doctor but it may not always be possible to choose You may request to see a female/male doctor but it may not always be possible to choose

Making an appointment You will usually have 5-10 minutes with the doctor You will usually have 5-10 minutes with the doctor If you think it may take longer then tell the receptionist to book a double appointment If you think it may take longer then tell the receptionist to book a double appointment You must always book separate appointments for each member of your family You must always book separate appointments for each member of your family Arrive on time or you appointment may be cancelled and if you can’t attend always let them know Arrive on time or you appointment may be cancelled and if you can’t attend always let them know

Urgent appointments You may have to wait a few days to see a doctor if it is non-urgent You may have to wait a few days to see a doctor if it is non-urgent If you feel it is an urgent matter then tell the receptionist and she will arrange a quicker appointment If you feel it is an urgent matter then tell the receptionist and she will arrange a quicker appointment If you do not feel well enough to attend sometimes the doctor can come and visit you If you do not feel well enough to attend sometimes the doctor can come and visit you

Language problems If you or a friend cannot speak or understand English confidently then tell the receptionist first If you or a friend cannot speak or understand English confidently then tell the receptionist first An interpreter can be arranged if you tell them in advance An interpreter can be arranged if you tell them in advance Try to avoid using friends to interpret as this can become difficult! Try to avoid using friends to interpret as this can become difficult! *See session outline*

Who works in the GP? Nurses Nurses Midwives Midwives Health visitors Health visitors Psychological services Psychological services

Specialist health care Your GP will provide most of your health care Your GP will provide most of your health care If there is a health concern they can’t help you with they may arrange for you to go to specialist services If there is a health concern they can’t help you with they may arrange for you to go to specialist services These doctors usually work in the hospital These doctors usually work in the hospital Your GP will arrange the appointment and then the hospital will send you a letter telling when and where to go. You must tell them if you want an interpreter present. Your GP will arrange the appointment and then the hospital will send you a letter telling when and where to go. You must tell them if you want an interpreter present. Sometimes the hospital can be far way but if you have a HC2 form this can be reimbursed Sometimes the hospital can be far way but if you have a HC2 form this can be reimbursed

Local Hospitals *REFER TO SESSION OUTLINE*

Other health services Medicines and pharmacy Medicines and pharmacy Dentists Dentists Opticians Opticians Sexual Health services Sexual Health services TAKE YOUR HC2 FORM!!! TAKE YOUR HC2 FORM!!!

When your GP surgery is closed Usually GP surgeries are open between 08:30 and 18:00 Monday to Friday Usually GP surgeries are open between 08:30 and 18:00 Monday to Friday On Weekends and public holidays other out of hours services are available if you cannot wait for your GP to open On Weekends and public holidays other out of hours services are available if you cannot wait for your GP to open If you call your GP during these hours they will often give you other numbers to phone If you call your GP during these hours they will often give you other numbers to phone

NHS direct Telephone: This is a telephone service that can provide you with basic health advice and tell you where out of hours services exist This is a telephone service that can provide you with basic health advice and tell you where out of hours services exist You may request an interpreter You may request an interpreter

What to do in an emergency If you or someone you know becomes seriously ill call: If you or someone you know becomes seriously ill call: This is free and should only be used in an emergency This is free and should only be used in an emergency Be prepared to state where you are and exactly what has happened Be prepared to state where you are and exactly what has happened Try to stay calm Try to stay calm An ambulance service should arrive to take the ill persons to hospital An ambulance service should arrive to take the ill persons to hospital

Local resources FOR YOU TO COMPLETE!!! Local websites Local websites Local numbers Local numbers Local Support groups Local Support groups

Questions

What would you like more information on? Healthy eating? Healthy eating? Child Health? Child Health? Vaccinations and immunisations? Vaccinations and immunisations? Sexual Health? Sexual Health?

Thank you