Urgent Asthma care as a tourist

My family is currently on vacation in London and my wife needs to see someone about getting an inhaler for her asthma. We are here until Wednesday morning when we take the Eurostar to Paris. How do we go about seeing a Doctor on Monday, today, to get her an evaluation and most likely the inhaler? She has had asthma since childhood but has not needed an inhaler for a few years. The cold and damp weather this past week seems to have brought on symptoms.

My wife is an American citizen, I am a dual citizen US/UK and we do not live in either the US or the UK although I have US medical insurance.

Our hotel is near the Euston station.

What should we do this morning?

Thanks.

First, maybe talking with your insurance provider can help, or maybe talk to the person manning the front desk of your hotel. I'm sure if needed you should be able to visit an ER type doctor's office. When you have it sorted out please have your wife always, always take an inhaler with her. I have had asthma since early childhood.  I understand about the cold and damp air, it does affect the breathing. If she is having trouble breathing please see someone as soon as possible.

But, also, steam seemed to help my asthma symptons in a pinch.

Talk to the hotel and ask them where the nearest hospital is.  They should be able to help.

My friends were visiting from the US and one of them had left his insulin at home.  He went to A&E and they saw him and gave him temporary meds plus a prescription for more insulin for the rest of the trip.  Didn't cost him a cent and they didn't ask anything about insurance.

Good luck.

Unless she is really struggling to breathe, I would ask where the nearest walk-in center is....they will be able to arrange to get her a prescription for an inhaler. 
Though it is extra paperwork and a huge hassle to already overworked nurses, etc, those who are not on the NHS shd be paying for any treatment they receive.

I just had this discussion with my friend who works in Leeds A&E- they have people arrive directly from the airport with their relatives.  They are supposed to document everything, but getting the right paperwork and taking the time is not always viable.
Just to warn you, you may be asked to pay, but I believe the rates are fair and you shd know upfront.

You can get treatment as a visitor here. Well that WAS the case 6 years ago. Before I moved here I came over for a few days visit and got ill. My DF took me to his doctors surgery and I was treated as a 'visitor' and given a perscription for medication. I hope it's still the same case today. Just find your closest A&E (emergency room) and go in. They wont turn you away.

Emergency treatment is available to all, regardless of nationality and visa status.  So, go to the A&E and they will help.  If she needs follow up treatment then she will have to pay, and there will be a charge for future prescriptions.

Vicky

Thank you so much for all the information.

We went to the local A&E, UCH near Euston Station, and she was seen right away.  The doctor and nurse were very professional and helpful and she was breathing better soon afterward. They told us there was no cost for A&E visits although the four prescriptions were L6.65 each. The longest part of the whole visit was the long wait at the pharmacy. Much longer than the doctor visit.

All in all a very nice experience for what could have been very scary.

Thanks again.

Good to see everything is alright.

FYI, for the future, if an asthma attack is not too serious, a strong cup of coffee will substitute for an inhaler.