International Student Guide File - City of Glasgow College

Health and EmergenciesThe National Health Service (known as the NHS) is the statehealth care service in the UK. Most services are free. AllInternational Students in full time education in Scotlandare eligible for NHS treatment, whatever the length of theirstudies. This also applies to dependants ie. spouses anddependants under 16 years old (19 years if still at school).DoctorsIt is important that you register with a doctor (also knownas General Practitioner or GP) as soon as you arrive inScotland. To register, visit a local doctors surgery duringopening hours and take a letter from the college to prove youare a student. You will fill in some forms and then you will besent a medical card through the post which will have yourNHS number on it.If you are ill you can make an appointment with your GP. Thisconsultation is free and if you require medicine you will begiven a prescription to take to a pharmacy. Prescriptions arecurrently free of charge in Scotland.If you live in the Student Residences the staff there will helpyou to register with a local doctor. Your nearest doctor canbe found at:The Gorbals Health Centre45 Pine PlaceG5 0BQTel: 0141 531 8200If you need urgent medical treatment and you are able toget to hospital, the hospitals below offer an Accident andEmergency service:Glasgow Royal Infirmary84 Castle StreetG4 0SFTel: 0141 211 9600Victoria InfirmaryGrange RoadG42 9LFTel: 0141 201 6000If you need urgent medical treatment are unable to get tohospital, the emergency telephone number for an ambulanceis 999.DentistsYou should also register with a dentist. Dental treatment isnot free of charge. You should try to register with a dentistwho treats NHS patients and check if they will see you incases of an emergency. If you are treated as a private patient(i.e. not through the NHS), you will be charged a higher pricefor any treatment you receive.To find a doctor or dentist near where you stay, telephonethe NHS information line on 0800 22 44 88 or check theirwebsite www.nhs24.comFor emergency dental treatment, particularly if you have notyet registered with a dentist, contact:Glasgow Dental NHS Trust378 Sauchiehall StGlasgowG2 3JZTel: 0141 232 6323 to make an appointment.NHS charges apply, but usually the cost is no higher than£35, depending on the treatment required.If you would like more information on healthcare services inGlasgow, please contact the Student Advisors inStudent ServicesSexual, Reproductive andEmotional HealthFree contraception is available from Student Advisors at anyof our Campuses. If you would like to see a professionalabout an issue you have, The Sandyford Initiative providesa sexual health service across the whole of Glasgow.Sandyford services can provide you with all the informationand help you need when it comes to sexual, reproductiveand emotional health.Sandyford Initiative2-6 Sandyford PlaceSauchiehall StG3 7NBTel: 0141 211 8601Health and Personal InsuranceEven though you are entitled to free NHS treatment whileyou are in Scotland, you should take out health insurance tocover additional possible cost, for example costs of visitinghome if a relative is unwell. Endsleigh is one company whohave policies specifically for International students studyingin the UK. Information can be found at www.endsleigh.co.uk.6www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.ukwww.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk 7