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Register for NHS services
Moving to university often means living in a new area and using different health services. Registering with a local GP as soon as you arrive helps you access medical advice, prescriptions, mental health support and other NHS services when you need them.
Whether you're studying in Portsmouth or London, we recommend registering with a GP early rather than waiting until you're unwell. Registering only takes a short time but can make it much easier to get support quickly if you need it during your studies.
Getting help from the NHS
Health advice - NHS 111
Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for health advice.
It's a free service that allows you to speak to NHS staff who can give you health advice or help find which service is best for you.
Illnesses and minor injuries
If you're in Portsmouth
The Urgent Treatment Centre and Minor Injury Unit at St Mary's Hospital, east of the University campus can help with minor illnesses and injuries
They can offer treatment, advice and information for incidents like minor head and eye wounds, treating sprains, strains and breaks to arms, lower legs and feet.
If you're in London
The A&E and Urgent Care Centre at Whipps Cross Hospital can help with minor illnesses and injuries.
They can offer treatment, advice and information for incidents like minor head and eye wounds, treating sprains, strains and breaks to arms, lower legs and feet.
Calling an ambulance
If you're in Portsmouth
If you or someone else has a serious or life-threatening injury or condition on campus, call 999.
If you are on campus in Portsmouth when calling 999 please also call Campus Security who will be able to offer assistance and arrange access for the ambulance crew. Call the Security Lodge through extension 3333 or +44 (0)23 9284 3333. You'll be asked:
- The location, including the area or room in the building
- The phone number you're calling from
- What's happened?
The Security Lodge will dispatch caretakers and security to assist and arrange access for the ambulance crew.
If you're in London
If you or someone else has a serious or life-threatening injury or condition on campus, call 999. You'll be asked:
- The location, including the area or room in the building
- The phone number you're calling from
- What's happened?
Life threatening emergencies
If you're in Portsmouth
If you need urgent medical treatment for a life threatening emergency, the local hospital in Portsmouth is Queen Alexandra Hospital ("QA Hospital") in the north of the city.
The Emergency Department at QA Hospital treats those with life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, persistent or severe chest pain, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.
If you're in London
If you need urgent medical treatment for a life threatening emergency, the local hospital in Walthamstow is Whipps Cross Hospital.
The Emergency Department at Whipps Cross Hospital treats those with life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, persistent or severe chest pain, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.
Register with a GP
Why register
We recommend that you register with a GP near your term-time address when you come to Portsmouth or London.
Although you may be spending some of the year elsewhere, such as your family's address over the holidays, it's important that you're able to access Portsmouth or London health services when you're away from home. Registering locally can also make it easier to access some NHS local mental health support, referrals, vaccinations and ongoing treatment while you are studying.
It's easy to change GPs when you move house or graduate, and your health record will transfer across. It can take several weeks to be processed, so it's best to do it as soon as you move to university rather than waiting until you need help.
How to register
- Choose a surgery that's close to your student house or flat. If you live in University accommodation, ask at the reception of your Halls of Residence for your nearest doctors' surgery.
- Contact a local surgery with your personal details and the name and address of your current doctor.
- If you have an ongoing condition like asthma, diabetes or epilepsy, it's even more important to register with a local GP as soon as possible. Visit the GP for a health check (which is free to new patients), so they know who you are and what medication you're taking.
- Make sure you don't leave your repeat prescriptions to the last minute.
- If you change your term-time address, please contact your GP practice and let them know your new address. If they lose contact with you, you may no longer be registered with your GP.
Accessing health services if you're not registered
If you need medical advice and are not yet registered with a GP, a pharmacy can often help with minor illnesses and common health concerns. You can also contact NHS 111 online or by phone for advice about where to get help.
Find a GP
If you live in halls of residence, the nearest doctors’ surgery is:
- Uni-City Medical Centre, (formerly the University Surgery) 159 – 161 Commercial Road, Portsmouth, PO1 1EA
If you live in Southsea, the nearest doctors' surgeries are:
- Devonshire Avenue Surgery, Lighthouse Group Practice, 262 Devonshire Avenue, PO4 9EH
- Heyward Road Surgery, Heyward Road, Portsmouth, PO4 0DY
- Osborne Practice Surgery, Trafalgar Medical Group Practice, 25 Osborne Road, PO5 3LR
- Salisbury Road Surgery, Craneswater Group Practice, Salisbury Road, PO4 9QX
- Somerstown Surgery, Tyseley Road, Portsmouth, PO5 4EZ
- Southsea Medical Centre, Lighthouse Group Practice, Carlisle Road, PO5 1AT
- Sunnyside Medical Centre, 8F The Pompey Centre, Fratton Way, PO4 8TA
- Waverley Road Surgery, Craneswater Group Practice, 34-36 Waverley Road, PO5 2PW
If you live in halls of residence, the nearest doctors’ surgery is:
- Uni-City Medical Centre, (formerly the University Surgery) 159 – 161 Commercial Road, Portsmouth, PO1 1EA
If you live in Central Portsmouth, North Portsmouth, or Cosham, the nearest doctors' surgeries are:
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Cosham Park House Surgery, Cosham Park Avenue, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3BG
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Crookhorn Surgery, Crookhorn Lane, Portsmouth, PO7 5XP
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Derby Road Surgery, 27/29 Derby Road, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 8HW
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Drayton Surgery, 280 Havant Rd, Drayton, Portsmouth, PO6 1PA
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East Shore Partnership, St Cuthbert’s Church, Hayling Avenue, PO3 6BH
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Kingston Crescent Surgery, 92 Kingston Crescent, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 8AL
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Lake Road Practice, Nutfield Place, Portsmouth, PO1 4JT
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Paulsgrove Surgery, 194 Allaway Avenue, Portsmouth, PO6 4HJ
If you're at our London campus, your nearest doctors' surgeries are:
- Addison Road Medical Practice, 46 Ravenswood Road, London E17 9LY
- The Firs Medical Centre, 26 Stephenson Road, London E17 7JT
- Higham Hill Medical Centre, 258-260 Higham Hill Road, Walthamstow E17 5RQ
- Chingford Medical Practice, Chingford Health Centre 109 York Road, London E4 8LF
Find a GP near you
Help with prescription costs
If you're on a low income, you may be able to get help for your NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Treatment available from a pharmacy without an appointment
In Portsmouth, you can visit a pharmacy (within postcode areas PO1 - PO6) without an appointment and sometimes receive treatment for these common minor illnesses:
- earache
- sore throat
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- shingles
- infected insect bites
- sinusitis
- impetigo
You can have a private conversation with the pharmacist, who will be able to advise on self-care.
In some cases, they may also be able to prescribe a medicine that can help - all without you having to make a GP appointment.
Register with a dentist
We recommend registering with a dentist as early as possible after moving to university.
NHS dental services can be in high demand, so it's worth looking for a local dentist before you need treatment. You should contact your dentist immediately if you need emergency treatment due to symptoms such as
- Severe pain that cannot be controlled with pain relief
- Swelling in the mouth or face (with or without pain)
- Uncontrollable bleeding in the mouth
- Any trauma to the mouth or teeth
If you need urgent dental care and are not registered with a dentist, contact NHS 111. They can help you find an emergency dental appointment near you.
International students' access to NHS services
If you join us on a Student Route visa for a full-time course or part-time postgraduate course for more than 6 months, you will be subject to the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year, payable with your visa application. This helps cover your NHS costs while you're in the UK, so you can access NHS services whenever you need them.
If you have any dependants living permanently with you for the duration of your course, they must also pay the surcharge when they apply for their visa. You'll all need to pay any additional statutory NHS charges, like any prescriptions.
Read more guidance on how to access NHS services as an international student.
Vaccinations
At uni you'll meet and mix with lots of new people, so check you're up to date on your vaccinations.
Sexual wellbeing, safety and support
Understand more about positive, healthy, consensual sex before moving away from home and starting university.
Wellbeing resources and other support
Expert mental heath and wellbeing resources and advice from the NHS, charities and more. Find specialist resources for issues relating to alcohol, anxiety, depression, drugs, food issues and eating disorders, loss and bereavement, self-harm, sleep and stress.
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