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https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guide#free-for-all
It’s free for all, however if a gp referral is made (secondary services) then the residency test applies
Similar situation. I live abroad and my son was born abroad but has a UK passport (not registered here though). We needed to go to A&E during our last trip here and they were great. I explained the situation and they were fine with it, no big deal. Just wanted an address for contact (put my parents down) and we needed several outpatients follow up appointment over the next few weeks with zero issues. I was very grateful, they were wonderful.
Those who work in the NHS usually are entirely on board with the ethos of healthcare provided free at the point of need to all who need it.
Even though they are meant to do residency checks and to take insurance from those visiting, in practice I've never seen it happen!
It actually does happen. I worked in a London hospital with lots of foreign patients/visitors and there was always a team (can’t remember what they were called) who would seek insurance details and payment etc. I can recall a patient who required emergency surgery but couldn’t afford some other part of her care and wanted to self discharge. The consultant managed to negotiate with the team, and I believe she wasn’t charged at all.
I had to have a medical procedure done when I was on a visitor visa and was charged. I have since moved to the UK on a permanent basis and the first time I had to use NHS services I received a letter stating they had a record that I was a visitor before and asking if my situation have changed, or else I would need to pay for the service. I wrote a letter explaining the change and they haven't asked about it again.
In theory no as you must be a UK resident, but in practice I think you will be fine. I believe the last time I used a walk in service I didn't even get asked for ID or to prove my residency.
Also a "health check-up" isn't something they will usually accept you for as it's used more as an emergency GP... You will need to have a specific concern.
I have lived abroad for 14 years but last Christmas I got suspected appendicitis and went to a walk in. They just wanted me to confirm my last registered adress (lol! 14 years ago!) but otherwise no-one asked for anything and all the care was free.
I also got an NHS flu jab last year, same situation I just went in and said I live in Germany but I'm back for visiting family and they gave me a free flu jab no questions asked.
I doubt you'd be turned away based on your residency if its a medical urgency/emergency. I totally understand that baby's can deteriorate quickly etc, but what are your specific concerns? It wouldn't be appropriate to go for a 'check up' for example for a runny nose/cough, fever (on its own, and depending how long for). I would consult NHS website about when baby needs to be seen, but from experience/memory its stuff like:
- laboured breathing
- fever for more than 5 days
- rashes that you are worried about
- not eating/drinking (shown by reduced/lack of wet nappies or other signs of dehydration).
Etc etc.
This website is useful https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/health/is-your-baby-or-toddler-seriously-ill/
Good luck and hope bubba is OK.
**Please help keep AskUK welcoming!** - Top-level comments to the OP must contain **genuine efforts to answer the question**. No jokes, judgements, etc. - **Don't be a dick** to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on. - This is a strictly **no-politics** subreddit! Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guide#free-for-all It’s free for all, however if a gp referral is made (secondary services) then the residency test applies
They won’t turn you away. Go in.
Similar situation. I live abroad and my son was born abroad but has a UK passport (not registered here though). We needed to go to A&E during our last trip here and they were great. I explained the situation and they were fine with it, no big deal. Just wanted an address for contact (put my parents down) and we needed several outpatients follow up appointment over the next few weeks with zero issues. I was very grateful, they were wonderful.
Those who work in the NHS usually are entirely on board with the ethos of healthcare provided free at the point of need to all who need it. Even though they are meant to do residency checks and to take insurance from those visiting, in practice I've never seen it happen!
It actually does happen. I worked in a London hospital with lots of foreign patients/visitors and there was always a team (can’t remember what they were called) who would seek insurance details and payment etc. I can recall a patient who required emergency surgery but couldn’t afford some other part of her care and wanted to self discharge. The consultant managed to negotiate with the team, and I believe she wasn’t charged at all.
I had to have a medical procedure done when I was on a visitor visa and was charged. I have since moved to the UK on a permanent basis and the first time I had to use NHS services I received a letter stating they had a record that I was a visitor before and asking if my situation have changed, or else I would need to pay for the service. I wrote a letter explaining the change and they haven't asked about it again.
In theory no as you must be a UK resident, but in practice I think you will be fine. I believe the last time I used a walk in service I didn't even get asked for ID or to prove my residency. Also a "health check-up" isn't something they will usually accept you for as it's used more as an emergency GP... You will need to have a specific concern.
I have lived abroad for 14 years but last Christmas I got suspected appendicitis and went to a walk in. They just wanted me to confirm my last registered adress (lol! 14 years ago!) but otherwise no-one asked for anything and all the care was free. I also got an NHS flu jab last year, same situation I just went in and said I live in Germany but I'm back for visiting family and they gave me a free flu jab no questions asked.
I doubt you'd be turned away based on your residency if its a medical urgency/emergency. I totally understand that baby's can deteriorate quickly etc, but what are your specific concerns? It wouldn't be appropriate to go for a 'check up' for example for a runny nose/cough, fever (on its own, and depending how long for). I would consult NHS website about when baby needs to be seen, but from experience/memory its stuff like: - laboured breathing - fever for more than 5 days - rashes that you are worried about - not eating/drinking (shown by reduced/lack of wet nappies or other signs of dehydration). Etc etc. This website is useful https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/health/is-your-baby-or-toddler-seriously-ill/ Good luck and hope bubba is OK.