Guidance for new refugees

View how to find a doctor, register for a surgery and where to find other healthcare support.

You can watch a video guide to the NHS which is subtitled in many languages.

Doctors that work in local surgeries are called GPs (General Practitioners).

They can provide medical advice, diagnose non-emergencies and may:

• prescribe you medicine (to collect from a pharmacy)
• refer you to a specialist or hospital

You need to register with your local GP surgery as soon as possible.

Most surgeries open at 8am. So when you have a medical problem, you will need to call them as soon as they open.

If you contact them between 6:30pm and 8am, you will usually be referred to another (out-of-hours) service.

You are entitled to dental services from the NHS, but you need to register with a dentist.

Some treatments are free, and some have a reduced fee.

NHS dental services are free when the:

• treatment is minor (for example to remove stitches, stop bleeding in the mouth or repair dentures)
• patient is under 18
• patient is under 19 and in full-time education
• patient is pregnant or has had a baby in the last 12 months

Not all dental surgeries are accepting new NHS patients, but you can search for local surgeries that are:

Find a local dentist.

View more information about dental charges and check if you are exempt from paying.

View dental health guide for migrants on GOV.UK.

You may be able to get access via the Flexible Commissioning Scheme.

You can view a list of the dental practices taking part on the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West website.

You need to make an appointment with an optician to get your eyes checked.

If you need to pay extra for some products, your optician will tell you.

Find a local optician.

Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns.

They can offer advice and over-the-counter medicines for a minor illnesses, including:

• coughs
• colds
• sore throats
• stomach pains
• aches

Find your local pharmacy.

Your GP will usually send a prescription of medicine to a specific pharmacy.

When you collect it, you will be asked if you:

• are eligible for free prescriptions
• are not eligible, and must pay

If you must pay the full amount, the current cost is £9.90 in England.

You may not have to pay based on your:

• age
• income
• medical exemptions

Check if you need to pay for medicine or prescriptions.

NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now.

You can get help from NHS 111:

• by using 111 online ( Only for people aged 5 and over)
• in the NHS App
• by calling 111

111 can direct you to the best place to get help if you cannot contact your GP during the day, or when your GP is closed (out-of-hours).

Depending on what you need, you might be advised to:

• call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency
• go to an urgent treatment centre
• see an evening and weekend GP (out-of-hours GP)
• book a callback from a nurse
• get urgent specialist support, for dental or mental health problems
• contact your own GP surgery
• see a pharmacist for help with a minor illness
• look after yourself safely at home

Visit a hospital in an emergency:

Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Mandeville Road
Aylesbury
HP21 8AL
(buckshealthcare.nhs.uk)

Milton Keynes Hospital
H8 Standing Way
Eaglestone
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
(mkuh.nhs.uk)

Wexham Park Hospital
Wexham Street
Slough
SL2 4HL
(fhft.nhs.uk)

If you are worried about your mental health, speak to your doctor.

For urgent mental health help, view Buckinghamshire Safe Haven webpage or call 111.

For help with emotional health and wellbeing, view Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies. They can also help with:

• low moods
• worrying
• stress

You can call them on 01865 901600, or text 'TALK' to 07798 667169.

You can call these charities and companies for more help:

View support for Ukrainians with trauma.

Every school will have a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse.

View their contact details on the School Nursing Service.

Buckinghamshire CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)

View the Buckinghamshire CAMHS website for specialist help.