The NHS is the UK’s state health service which provides treatment for UK residents. Some services are free, other have to be paid for. The regulations that govern who can and can’t receive treatment are complex and may change.
A person who is regarded as ordinarily resident in the UK is eligible for free treatment by a GP. A person is ‘ordinarily resident’ for this purpose if lawfully living in the UK for a settled purpose as part of the regular order of his or her life for the time being. Anyone coming to live in this country would qualify as ordinarily resident. Overseas visitors to the UK are not regarded as ordinarily resident if they do not meet this description.
The following NHS treatment is available to anyone:
- Treatment in an emergency (but not follow up treatment).
- Treatment of certain communicable diseases.
- Compulsory psychiatric treatment.
For more information on entitlement, please visit – NHS Inform Healthcare for overseas visitors