International Students Survival Guide - Health Information

Looking after your HEALTH in CARDIFF

INTERNATIONAL Student Notes

NHS/GP Registration You register with the NHS by registering with a doctor. Contact the Health Centre or Atrium Advice Centre for details of how to register. If you are receiving any treatment or are disabled as a result of a medical condition please make sure you have information in English from your doctor at home.

Health Centre Any member of the University community can use the Pontypridd campus Health Centre at Treforest (T Block) for help and advice. This includes  using the nurse drop in service  By booking a nurse consultation on line via Unilife  telephoning for advice on 01443 482081 The nurses may see you and give you written instructions on how to treat your illness. They will give you examples of medicines to buy yourself from a pharmacy or supermarket. If you are worried about any health issue you are welcome to visit the Health Centre during drop in sessions advertised on Unilife and talk in confidence to the nurses.

Other ways of  NHS Direct Wales 24 hours 0845 46 47 and accessing health www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk advice  http://health.southwales.ac.uk

Minor illness For minor problems like sore throats/coughs/colds and flu like illnesses you will not need to see a doctor. It is advisable to :  Take regular paracetamol  Drink plenty of fluids  Suck menthol lozenges  Make sure you get plenty of rest

You will be expected to buy your own medicines in this case.

To see a doctor You will need to book an appointment at your doctor’s surgery. You will not have to pay if your course is for longer than 6 months. It is important that you attend at the time you are given. Doctors do not always give prescriptions and may recommend medicine that you can buy. Antibiotics are only prescribed for serious infections and not generally for illnesses such as sore throats and flu like illness. Doctors in the UK do not routinely do blood tests unless there are symptoms to indicate that they are required. If you need to be referred to hospital you will have to wait for an appointment to be sent to you in the post. This can take some months or longer in conditions which are not considered urgent.

Prescriptions Prescriptions must be taken to a pharmacy. Prescription medication is free if you live in Wales.

Out of hours If you are ill after your doctor’s surgery is closed you can illness phone NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47. Calls to the 24 hour helpline can be taken in several languages through a translator. Staff will advise you on what you need to do. They may suggest self care, or may give you the telephone number of the local out of hours service. Very rarely they may suggest you go straight to the Accident and Emergency unit at the local hospital. Accident and Emergency units do not treat minor infections/illnesses and will refer you back to the Health Centre / your doctor for this type of care.

Serious accident/ If a serious accident or emergency occurs emergency on Pontypridd campus  on Pontypridd Campus contact a first aider/member of staff to dial 9-999 from an internal phone and then 82057 to let Gatehouse know or pick up the yellow/red emergency phones situated in the halls of residence blocks Serious  dial 999 from any telephone. You will be asked accident/emergency whether you require police, ambulance or fire elsewhere service. You will need to speak clearly and calmly and give information of where you are and what the problem is

Medicals and  Medicals are not available on the NHS and are a medical private arrangement between you and your GP certificates  Medical certificates in support of extenuating circumstances claims can only be provided by nursing staff/doctors when there has been a serious health problem which is documented in either Health Centre or GP notes

Dental care Dental care is part of the NHS but you will still be asked to pay for certain treatments. You can find a dentist in the local services section of www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk Some dentists only undertake private work so check before you go that the dentist does treat NHS patients. Always ask how much any treatment costs before you begin. You will need your NHS number for the dentist. This will be sent to you in the post approximately 2 months after you have registered with a Doctor. Dental Emergency  Please contact your dentist if you are registered  Otherwise contact NHS Direct Wales 0845 46 47 for advice

Optical Opticians advertise widely. You have to pay for any Treatment consultation as well as for glasses or contact lenses unless you have an HC2 exemption.

Help towards NHS You need to fill out form HC1W available from the Health costs Centre and send to the Benefits Agency in the pre paid envelope provided. Your claim will be assessed and you will receive either an HC2 for full help or HC3 for limited help towards costs

Further information Is available from  http://health.southwales.ac.uk  www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk

Frequently asked Questions

1 What is the National Health Service

The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK’s health service which provides medical treatment

2 Is it available to all?

No. To qualify for NHS treatment (apart from treatment in an emergency) you must meet certain conditions.

3 What are the conditions?

If your course is less than 6 months you will not be entitled to NHS treatment except in an emergency. Doctors may agree to treat you free of charge if treatment cannot be delayed until you return home. Otherwise, you will need to pay for treatment as a private patient and this can be expensive. So you will need to take out private medical insurance if your course is less than 6 months. 4 What if I am an EEA national on a course of less than 6 months?

You should obtain your European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ) in your country before coming. This will entitle you to NHS treatment but in some cases you may have to pay and claim your money back when you return home.

5 What if my course is longer than 6 months?

You will qualify for the same NHS treatments as UK residents. Prescription medication is free in Wales. Dental Inspections are free for under 25s but dental and optical treatment have to be paid for.

6 Am I eligible for help towards these NHS costs on grounds of low income?

To find out whether you are eligible for help towards NHS costs like dental and optical costs you need to fill out form HC1W available from the Health Centre and send this to the Benefits Agency in the pre paid envelope provided. They will assess your claim and let you know whether you have to pay or not. An HC2 exemption entitles you to full help and an HC3 entitles you to limited help which will be outlined on the form.

7 Does my country have a reciprocal health care agreement?

Some countries have reciprocal agreements with the UK. You can check whether this applies to your country at: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers

8 What if I come from a country with a high incidence of TB?

You may need to have a test for TB before you can apply for your visa. When you register at the Health Centre you will be given information on TB and the symptoms to look out for. Further information on TB is available from: www.tbalert.org www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk 09/2015