Semi- emergency treatment by NHS for tourists?

Hi all,

I'm visiting the UK this summer purely as a tourist. I fell at the park this afternoon and I think my finger may be broken. If I had to go to a walk-in center, what am I looking at? Will I even get seen? Crazy expensive? It probably needs splinting and maybe x-rays to determine if it's broken. I've never broken anything before so I'm not sure. It's just really swollen and hurts to bend.


Thanks!!

Ouch, I hope it's not broken and mends quickly, Beth!

No advice to give re: the NHS, though I think I've seen other threads where people said they got good/quick/free(!) service, even as a tourist.

Good luck!

They'll treat you, but you are likely to get charged. That's what happened to my aunt when she came to visit us.

If you go to A&E, it's free. If you go to a walk-in clinic, you'll get charged.  At least, that's the impression I got.

I think it just depends upon how clued in the staff are where you go. I believe, in theory, as a tourist, you should be charged no matter where you go.

Do you have travel insurance?  If anything you get charged and can claim it back.

From: http://www.visitbritain.us/about-britain/practical-information/medical-information/emergency-treatment.aspx

If you become ill while visiting Britain, you are eligible for free emergency treatment in the Accident and Emergency departments of National Health Service hospitals. However, if you are admitted to hospital as an in-patient, even from the accident and emergency department, or referred to an out-patient clinic, you will be asked to pay

from: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074379

What do I have to pay for?

You will have to pay the full cost of all the treatment you receive, including emergency treatment, given by staff at a hospital or by staff employed by a hospital. However, there are some services that are free of charge to everyone:

    * Treatment given only in an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department or in a NHS Walk-in Centre providing services similar to those of an A&E department (excludes emergency treatment given elsewhere in the hospital);
    * Treatment for certain infectious diseases (excluding HIV/AIDS where it is only the first diagnosis and connected counselling sessions that are free to everyone);
    * Compulsory psychiatric treatment;
    * Family planning services.

My sister (USC) came over to the UK for a visit last year and developed bronchitis while she was here.  We went to a walk-in clinic in North London and she was seen within about 30 minutes, given some antibiotics, and she wasn't charged.  She even stopped and asked about payment at the admin counter before walking out, and they just smiled and sent her on her way.

I realize the rules say she should've been charged.  Maybe she's just lucky.

Carl

Thanks, everyone. I'm going to try. I'll report back here once I'm done.

Let's just summarise the situation here, for visitors to the UK. I shall use a scenario, to cover a few points.

Someone collapses in the street. An ambulance is called. They are treated at the scene by paramedics ..... free ..... who then transport them to A&E ... free ..... and then they are treated in the A&E ... free .... but then unfortunately they need to be moved to theatre and/or ward ... not free!

In other words, quite when it starts to get really expensive, the treatment is not free. Accordingly it is essential for every visitor to the UK to have adequate travel insurance, to cover possibly rather large medical bills.

So for you, Gottagettolondon, get yourself along to A&E. You will not be charged there.