I’m Aanya, a first-year medical student and as someone who has recently registered and got familiar with the healthcare services available at Exeter, I am here to help you find out how to register for your GP (doctor), access dental care, find out about the walk-incentre and how to access sexual health services and free contraception.
Whether it be for a classic case of fresher’s flu or just routine check ups, signing up to healthcare services is a must when starting university. It can seem confusing at first (I thought so too!) but I am here to break it down in a, hopefully, easy way for everyone.
Going to the doctors and walk-in centres is free and if you are ever in an emergency and you should go to A&E (Accident and Emergency) you will also be treated for free. If you are an international student and want to find out more about medical treatment in the UK based on your circumstances or eligibility, you can have a look at the student support web page.
If you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your student visa application; you will not be charged for any NHS (National Health Service) medical treatment.
Registering with a Doctor
You never know when you might need to see a doctor, so it is much better to be registered before you need an appointment for something. The Student Health Centre is on the Streatham campus and you can register online. The form only takes 10 minutes to complete, and it takes around 2 working days to be registered.
If you’re based at St Luke’s campus like me, you may be closer to the Heavitree Practice, in which case you can go into the practice to obtain a registration form to fill out. For more information, you can visit their website.
The above GPs are simply recommendations, and you can always find a GP surgery close to where you live, if you live off campus, by using the NHS‘ Find a GP’ service.
It’s important to note that if you have a health condition that requires repeat prescriptions for regular medication to register as soon as you can! If you are under 19 years old and in full-time education, you won’t have to pay prescription charges.
Accessing dental care
The NHS advises you have a dental check up every 2 years, so it is a good idea to be registered with a dentist too to make sure your mouth, teeth and gums stay healthy! Located on North Street, my dentist is one of the NHS and private dentists in Exeter and they are accepting new patients so you can sign up here.
To find a dentist in Devon, you can follow this link.
How healthcare in the UK works:
The NHS provides the majority of treatment in the UK at both local doctors’ surgeries, dentists, walk-incentres and hospitals. Treatment is usually free, although you may have to pay for any prescribed medicines.
You need to register at a doctor’s surgery to make an appointment to see a doctor (in the UK doctors at surgeries are called GPs (General Practitioners). Normally you would register at the surgery closest to where you are living, but you can also register for the Student Health Centre on the Streatham campus (more on this below).