HEALTHCARE
The National Health Service, known as the “NHS”, is a state run national health service which is funded through taxation. It provides free health care in the UK for UK nationals and citizens of other countries who also qualify for free health care in the UK.Everyone who is a resident in Scotland is entitled to access health care. This includes displaced people, refugees, asylum seekers and people whose claim for asylum has been refused. As a New Scot you are entitled to:
register with a GP
access emergency health services
register with a dentist
have eye tests
access specialist healthcare. This includes maternity care, mental health services and any other services for specific conditions.
For more information about the NHS click here.
If you are a refugee or you are seeking for asylum in the UK, click here for more information about the NHS.
EMERGENCIES
DENTAL EMERGENCIES IN THE GRAMPIAN AREA
In the case of a dental emergency you should:
1. Contact your Dental Practice (where you are registered).
2. In case of not being registered contact: Dental Information and Advice Line on 0345 4565 990 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 5.45pm)
NHS 24
NHS 24 is Scotland’s telephone service providing health advice 24 hours a day. The telephone service allows people who feel unwell or those caring for them to obtain health advice if it is not possible to wait until they can contact their GP when the practice is next open. You can call them on 111 if you are ill or need any health services.
The advice line is not intended as a substitute for obtaining an emergency ambulance service. For all life-threatening emergencies you should always call 999.
For more information about NHS 24 click here.
MORE INFORMATION
For dental emergencies click here.
For health emergencies dial 999
REGISTERING WITH A LOCAL GENERAL
MEDICAL PRACTITIONER (GP)
FINDING A PRACTICE
You should find your nearest GP Practice and then check with them if they will be able to accept you as a patient. To find your local practice, contact NHS Grampian Healthline on 0500 303020 or go to www.nhs24.com.
GPs are usually the first medical point of contact with the NHS. They are responsible for the comprehensive and continuing care of patients registered with them. GPs provide initial advice and treatment. If further treatment or investigation of a problem is required, the GP will co-ordinate this and ensure that it is provided. Further treatment might be provided by your GP, or by a member of their team such as a practice nurse, midwife or health visitor, or if required, by referral to a specialist doctor called a consultant or to other specialist services.
WHY SHOULD I REGISTER WITH A GP?
By asking to register with your local GP,
you are simply asking your local GP to
be responsible for your ongoing medical
care. If you are accepted, the GP is
confirming that he or she will accept this
responsibility. You will then know where to
go for local medical care.
DENTAL SERVICES
Unlike GP Services, there is usually a charge made for NHS dental services. The charge depends on the type of treatment provided. NHS dental care is provided in two main ways.
Salaried dentists who are employed by the NHS and only undertake NHS work, or
General dental practitioners who are independent contractors who often provide a mix of both NHS and private dental treatment and also accept private patients.
REGISTRY TO A DENTAL PRACTICE
To registry in a Dental Practice you will need to: 1) find a practice, and 2) fill a form provided by the practice. Keep in mind that not all the practices have capacity, so first you need to contact them. For finding a Dental Practice please click here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For getting more information about Dental Services, please click here.
HEALTHCARE SERVICES
PHARMACIES
A pharmacist is a skilled professional who is licensed to prepare and dispense prescription drugs and other medicines. They can also answer any queries you may have about choosing the right medicine and provide advice on treating everyday ailments. They can also help you decide if you need to see a doctor. For most people living in Scotland, prescription medicines are free. Most pharmacies also provide free NHS emergency contraception. You can visit your local pharmacy anytime they are open, there is no need to make an appointment.
To find your nearest local pharmacy call the NHS Grampian free healthline on 08085 202030 or visit http://www.know-who-to-turn-to.com.
OPTICIAN / OPTOMETRY
If you have an eye problem, you can make an emergency appointment with an optician (also known as an optometrist).
Opticians have the same specialist equipment as specialist eye doctors and may be able to treat and manage your eye problem without the need for you to go to hospital.
To make an emergency appointment, telephone your optician/optometrist or contact NHS 24 by telephoning 111.
MINOR INJURIES UNIT
If you require urgent care for a minor injury you should attend your local Minor Injury Unit. Most Minor Injury Units are open 24 hours per day. You can be treated for a range of ailments including sprains, burns and fractures. If your injury happened a few days ago, or if it’s an old injury that has got worse again, please attend your GP for advice. For getting more information about where to find a Minor Injury Units click here.
OUT-OF-HOURS EMERGENCY SERVICE
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NHS 24
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NHS HEALTHLINE
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HEALTHPOINTS
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CHARITIES AND SUPPORT
GRAMPIAN HEALTH & DIVERSITY NETWORK
Grampian Health & Diversity Network is an initiative that looks to empower community members from ethnic minorities to become health champions for their communities by receiving and sharing key health-related information, and providing opinions to improve health and social care services in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Health champions receive and have direct access to key information on health-related issues and services that communities are interested in working on. This includes information regarding mental health and wellbeing, keeping an active lifestyle, prevention and screening programmes, and vaccination, to mention a few.
For more information click here.
KEY WORDS
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS
A medical treatment facility in a hospital specialising in emergency treatment for patients. The department provides treatment for illnesses and injuries which require immediate attention and, in some cases, may be life-threatening. These departments operate 24 hours a day and patients often arrive by ambulance following a call to the emergency 999 telephone number.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
The police, fire and rescue and ambulance service are all called using an emergency telephone number which in the UK is 999. You will be asked which service you need, and your call will be directed to the correct agency.
GENERAL PRACTIONERR
A medical doctor based in your community that treats patients with minor or chronic illnesses and will refer patients with serious conditions to specialist consultants in a hospital.
MEDICAL EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE
People with certain medical conditions, pregnant women and women who have had a baby in the last 12 months can get free National Health Service prescriptions with a valid exemption certificate. You must complete a form to apply for this benefit.
URGENT TREATMENT CENTRE / OUT OF HOURS SERVICE
Are medical centres for urgent care that isn’t immediately life threatening. Appointments can be booked via dialling 111 or through your General Practitioner (GP).
KEY ORGANISATIONS
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ALLIANCE SCOTLAND
A third sector organisation which helps connect people with local sources of support that will enable them to manage their own health conditions more effectively. For more information clik here.
NHS TRAUMA INFORMED
NHS support service for people affected by trauma. For more information click here.
BREATHING SPACE
A free, confidential support service available for those wishing to speak to someone about how they are feeling. For more information click here.
CLEAR YOUR HEAD HELP & SUPPORT PORTAL
For more information clik here.