For Heaven's Sake Bring Your Medicines

I just found myself in the awkward position of trying to find a doctor to prescribe hypertension medicine for a foreign visitor who was afraid to bring his own through customs. At the same time, I had to deal with another foreign visitor who wanted a non-emergency eye examination on the National Health.

It seemed a good time to remind visitors to the UK about what they can expect from the NHS and what services are not provided for non-UK residents.

• Bring your medicines with you. Pharmacies won't fill prescriptions written for you in your own country so it's no use bringing those along. You won't have difficulty bringing normal prescribed medicines through customs.
• Buy travel health insurance. Unless you are a legitimate resident of the UK - a citizen, a permanent resident or a student or worker on an extended visa - you can only use the National Health for emergency treatment. A visit to an eye doctor for a general check-up doesn't qualify.

  Find out about free medical help in the UK, who is qualified and why you'll probably still need travel health insurance:

  • UK NHS Rules for Visitors
  • How to Get Help in an Emergency

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