Health Service for overseas visitors
Medical Insurance
It is essential that you take out medical insurance for the duration of your visit prior to arrival in the UK.If you are :-
(1) a non EU national and are going to stay in the UK for less than 6 months and your home country does not have a reciprocal agreement with the UK regarding medical care
OR
(2) a non EU national registered as a student at a British University on a course of short duration (less than six months)
OR
(3) a non EU national and are not a student and are going to stay in the UK for more than six months but less than a year
If you are a student registered at a UK University and are in the UK for more than six months it is not essential to take out medical insurance for the period you are in the UK (although you should have medical insurance in place to cover your trip to and from the UK) but you should consider the need for medical insurance in the event that you need to be repatriated on medical grounds to your home country.
Medical Emergencies
If you need immediate medical assistance (e.g. because of an accident) telephone 999 – the call is free. An operator will ask you which emergency service you require (fire, police or ambulance). You will need to tell the emergency services what has happened and where you are. If someone is injured and needs to go to hospital an ambulance will arrive and take them to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (for Oxford this is The John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU telephone 01865-741166).
If you need urgent treatment but are well enough to travel you can make your own way to the Emergency Department.
Many GP surgeries also have a doctor on call outside normal surgery hours – details should be provided to you when you register with the GP.