Health

What if I am studying on a course of less than 6 months?

Queen Mary Student Health Service
Information for Chinese Students
Useful websites

Using the National Health Service (NHS)

All international students (non-EU) who are studying in the UK on a course of study of six months or more, qualify for NHS treatment from the beginning of their stay, on the same basis as anyone else who is ordinarily resident in the UK. This means that you can access free NHS health care provision, and you can register with an NHS doctor - known in the UK as a General Practitioner (GP). Most GPs work together in groups, known as GP Surgeries. You will normally register as an NHS patient with a GP Surgery, rather than with an individual doctor. You should register with a GP surgery as soon as you arrive in the UK - do not wait until you become unwell, as you may not be able to get the health care you need.

If you are living at the Mile End campus, or in the local area, you can register with the QM Student Health Service (SHS), see below. If you do not live locally, you should register with an NHS GP surgery near to where you live. Your local library can give you details of GP surgeries in your local area, or you can search online.

What if I am studying on a course of less than 6 months?

You are still able to use the QM Student Health Service (SHS) - see below. This means that you can see a doctor (GP) when you need to, and can be referred for any follow up medical care that might be necessary. However, you will not be able to register with the SHS as an NHS patient. This means that you should simply contact the SHS when you need to see a doctor. You will be charged a fee for a consultation with a doctor, and for any subsequent consultations or medical treatment. You will need to pay in cash for your consultation with a doctor at the SHS, as card payment facilities are not available. You will be given a receipt for your payment, which you can then use for your medical insurance provider.

All international students coming to the UK to study on a course of less than 6 months must have adequate medical insurance before travelling.

Queen Mary Student Health Service

All QM students who are registered with the SHS (or who are covered by the 'less than 6 months arrangements' described above) can see a doctor (GP) and receive healthcare on campus at the Student Health Service during the main College term time.

The Student Health Service is based in the ground floor of the geography building at Mile End.

To register with the Service, you must live on campus or in the local area - in post code areas E1, E2, E3 and E14. Click here for more information on the Student Health Service

If you do not live on campus or in the post codes mentioned, and you have an urgent medical need while you are on the QM campus, the SHS will normally be able to see you as a temporary patient. However, if you are studying on a course of 6 months or more you should still register with a GP surgery near to where you live as soon as you arrive in the UK, as this is where you will normally be seen for your health care.

Student Health Service - During term time

Service available on campus. Call 020 7882 8710 or call in to the Student Health Service, Ground Floor Geography building, Mile End campus.

Student Health Service - Outside term time
You will be seen at Globe Town surgery, 82-86 Roman Road
To book an appointment with the doctor or nurse call:
Monday to Friday 9am-1pm and 2-6.30pm 020 8980 3023 (closed Thursday from 1pm)

Any time
Out of hours emergency cover
Monday to Thursday 6.30pm - 8am 020 7377 7151
Friday 6.30pm - Monday 8am 020 7377 7151

For more details go to the Globe Town Surgery website

Information for Chinese students:

Wah Sum Helpline is a helpline set up by the Chinese Mental Health Association dedicated to serving the Chinese community throughout the UK. This is a confidential helpline run by experienced tri-lingual (Cantonese, Mandarin and English) workers and volunteers who offer emotional support, information and advice to callers.

The Chinese Mental health Association also provide a counselling service on a sliding scale (from £7 to £40 per session) and have a special project for people with problems with gambling. They can also explain what exactly counselling is and how it can help.

Useful websites [new window]

UKCISA - Keeping Healthy guidance leaflet: Find out what National Health Service treatment you are entitled to, what services are free of charge and how to keep yourself healthy

Samaritans (24 hour telephone helpline)
You can also call 020 7287 5493 for support in Japanese. The line is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 7-10pm and Saturdays from 10am - 1pm.

Nightline (Student run helpline and e-mail advice)

NHS Direct