Emergency
National Health Service and Registering with a Doctor

Contacts in Plymouth

Emergency

In an emergency you can telephone:

999 or 112

Calls are free

You can call 999 or 112 if:

- you need an ambulance (you had an accident and need medical attention)

- if there is a serious accident

- if you need the Fire Service (you see fire, smell smoke or gas or there is a flood)

- if you need the Police

For non-urgent calls you can call this number: 0845 777 444
It is working 24 hours a day.

Women: telephone helplines
If you need help because you are a victim of domestic violence or other forms of abuse call:

Women's Aid: 0800 800 02 47

The Samaritans: 0845 7 90 90 90

In Plymouth:

Domestic Violence Unit
(Devon & Cornwall Police)
01752 284 509

Domestic Violence Helpline
01752 562 286
(09:00 - 20:30)

Plymouth Women's Refuge
01752 562 286

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National Health Service

Any person living in the UK legally is considered as a resident in the UK and has access to free primary medical services. As soon as you have a residence in the UK you need to register with a doctor.

Asylum seekers and refugees have access to free health care in the UK through the National Health Service (NHS). To have medications for free you have to show the pharmacist your HC2 form. Some medications are not for free even if you have the form with you. If you are an asylum seeker the agency giving you accommodation will register you with a local doctor.

Migrants only have free access to health care if they have work and a work permit and they have residence in the UK.

Registration with doctors (General Practitioner, or GP)

You need to register with a doctor, or GP, as soon as you get in the UK.
Your GP is the person you have to see if you need help with:
- General medical advice and treatment
- Prescriptions for medications
- Contact with a specialist or a hospital
- Immunizations
- Tests
- Contraception
- Psychological and mental health problems

Usually it is easier to register with a doctor in the area where you live. Visit the office and ask them to register you. Take your medical card with you: they need your NHS number. If you do not have a medical card, you will have to fill in a form.

NHS Direct telephone number: 0845 46 47

This is a telephone service for information and advice on health, working 24 hours a day. If you cannot speak English, say which language you speak and they will get an interpreter on the line to help you.
They also have a website: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

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In Plymouth

Urgent medical treatment
Accident and Emergency [A&E]
Derriford Hospital
PL6 8DH
Telephone: 999

Non-urgent treatment
Contact your doctor or:
Minor Injuries Unit
Cumberland Centre
Damerel Close
Devonport
PL1 4JZ
Telephone: 01752 314 640
Open everyday from 09:00 to 17:30

HIV & AIDS
The Eddystone Trust gives information and support for people affected by HIV and AIDS.
The Eddystone Trust
36, Looe Street
Bretonside
PL4 0EB
Telephone: 01752 257 077

Mental Health
Plymouth and District MIND
8, Woodside
Greenbank
PL4 8QE
Telephone: 01752 254 004

Urgent dental treatment
Plymouth's Dental Access Centre
Telephone: 01752 314 151

Drug, Alcohol and Smoking Addictions
Broadreach House
Telephone: 01752 790 000

The Harbour Centre Plymouth Ltd.
Telephone: 01752 267 431

 

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