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Original poster

Urgent doctor in London for non UK person?

28 replies

AbsentmindedWoman · 23/08/2018 11:18

My girlfriend is visiting from abroad and has taken very ill this morning - where should we go for medical help that we can pay for as she's not from the UK?

Are there emergency non NHS clinics for tourists for gp stuff? The only private doctors I know of are consultants for specialist things?

OP posts:
SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 23/08/2018 11:22

Does she need a GP or is it very urgent? You could try ringing your GP for an emergency appointment, or you could go to a walk in clinic. I believe that would be free, but if she were to be referred on to a hospital that you may need to pay, but it depends on her nationality and insurance.

Penfold007 · 23/08/2018 11:22

Contact the emergency number on her travel insurance, they will help. Do you think it's a life threatening situation, if so A&E will help but there may be charges.

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 23/08/2018 11:23

www.myhealth.london.nhs.uk/information-for-overseas-visitors

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General health
DULLDull · 23/08/2018 11:23

Which country is she from? There maybe an agreement.

serbska · 23/08/2018 11:23

Shit loads of private GP clinics in London - google one and they will fit you in right away. Probably £40 to £60 for an appointment.

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 23/08/2018 11:23

Just take her to A and E, worry about it afterwards.

Hopscotch68 · 23/08/2018 11:26

Why not just a&e?

Kleinzeit · 23/08/2018 11:28

A visitor should be able to use the NHS if it's urgent.

"Treatment in A&E departments, at GP surgeries and under the Mental Health Act remains free for all."

www.myhealth.london.nhs.uk/information-for-overseas-visitors

SquirmOfEels · 23/08/2018 11:30

There are walk-in private GP services at at least some of the major London railway stations.

If it's an A&E emergency, just go to nearest hospital

bluerunningshoes · 23/08/2018 11:32

private gp
look up private gp in your area for minor stuff.
major illness, 999 a&e apply as usual. you will need to take passport and let reception know. the overseas office of the hospital deals with invoicing/ehic if applicable.

DULLDull · 23/08/2018 11:34

A and E is free. Charging starts if she is admitted according to that link. I hope she's alright OP.

Original poster
AbsentmindedWoman · 23/08/2018 11:39

At the moment, we don't think it's an A & E matter. She's been vomiting for the last few hours so probably just a bug but given she's on some medications she needs to be seen.

I think she needs blood pressure done and heart rate listened to and maybe some bloods taken. The only doctor you can pay to walk in I can think of is at Victoria station? It looks shit. Want to take her to somewhere a bit more reassuring and professional looking.

OP posts:
Original poster
AbsentmindedWoman · 23/08/2018 11:41

Thank ok will google private gp rather than private walk in centre.

Thank you for the replies, am stressed.

OP posts:
FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 23/08/2018 11:43

Just take her to A and E, don't think 'oh it's not bad enough'.

I was going to suggest the private GP at Victoria....but honestly, London A and E depts. are vg. They wont make you feel like you shouldn't have come. Vomiting for hours, and being on certain meds., is quite serious.

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 23/08/2018 11:44

Where in London are you? Just walk into St Thomas or somewhere.

Orchiddingme · 23/08/2018 11:44

Go to A and E, they will triage you and may send you to the GP/walk in part of the service if it's not serious. But if there are additional medical issues and she needs blood tests, I would go somewhere they can do that quickly which is A and E.

kaytee87 · 23/08/2018 12:19

Go to any hospital or doctors and call her travel insurance to arrange payment to nhs if that's what the countries agreements are.

Vintagevixen · 23/08/2018 12:24

HCA healthcare have various urgent walk in centres, one at Chelsea, one in Tooley street London Bridge and several other locations. It's a big private healthcare org so decent care. Just google HCA healthcare urgent care.

WrongKindOfFace · 23/08/2018 12:29

If it’s just a vomiting bug does she definitely need to see a dr? Most people, even if on medication, can manage them at home.

Maybe ring the advice line for her travel insurance to see what they suggest?

CeeCeeAndAida · 23/08/2018 13:45

I've been to the Medicentre at Victoria a few years ago and found them very professional.

Hope she gets sorted.

Xiaoxiong · 23/08/2018 13:48

You can call/walk into Cromwell Hospital and ask for a private GP appointment. It's a Bupa Hospital. Other ones to try ringing are London Bridge and the Lister, depending where you are in London. The Lister also has an urgent care walk-in.

DULLDull · 23/08/2018 13:57

Tbh, OP, unless there were other symptoms that simply couldn't be managed at home I would avoid taking someone with a stomach bug to a clinic or hospital. The last thing a place like that needs is a bug flying about. Of course if its very severe or due to an issue that may need surgery rather than just vomiting then that would be different. Regarding the medication, you might be able to get advice from your local pharmacist as to whether vomiting is an issue. Can you say what she takes meds for?

specialsubject · 23/08/2018 14:14

travel insurers provide a 24 hour help line and you need to ring that. anything other than emergency treatment risks a big bill.

shortgreengiraffe · 23/08/2018 15:57

Does she have travel insurance? If so ring them for advice. They may be able to make the arrangements for her.