Health and healthcare

Don't panic! LAL Torbay staff are here to help you, and Britain has an excellent system of doctors and hospitals.

• What to do if you are unwell
• What treatment is free?
• Dental treatment for your teeth
• Sexual health

We're here to help: if you have any problems, whether it's to do with your health, your accommodation or even something at home, ask to see the Welfare team. These staff are here to help you in any way they can, and have plenty of experience in dealing with problems. The Welfare team are on the ground floor at LAL Torbay.

We are all ill from time to time, but it can be more worrying when we are away from home. Don't panic! Our staff are trained to help you.

We have people trained in First Aid in the school, so please report any accident or illness to the Welfare team or any member of staff.

If you need to see a Doctor, Welfare will make an appointment for you. There is often a charge of GBP35.00 (minimum) to pay on arrival at the doctors. This may be free if you have a European Health Entitlement Card, or if you have health insurance you can claim this back later (please make sure you get receipts).

Do remember that you can buy many medicines 'over the counter' from the pharmacist at a chemist, so it is not always necessary to see a doctor for a prescription.

Britain is fortunate to have had an excellent public-funded hospital system, called the National Health Service, since 1948. If you have an accident or fall suddenly ill and have to go to 'casualty', you will be given accident and emergency treatment free of charge.

Treatment in hospital under the National Health Service (NHS) is free:

• if you study on a course for more than six months, and register with a General Practitioner doctor.
• if you are a national of an EU country.
• if your country has a full reciprocal health agreement with Britain.

Anyone else will have to pay if they are admitted to a hospital bed (unless your illness is infectious), or if you need to see a doctor for a consultation.

Students who study with us for more than six months, and register with a GP, can receive free treatment by the NHS for any medical condition which only began after they arrived in England. If you were ill before you arrived, you will only be treated if your illness is worse and needs urgent treatment. In particular, pregnancies which began before you arrived will only be treated in an emergency. Note that, even if you are entitled to 'free' treatment, you may be asked to pay for all or part of the cost of medicine.

Britain's dental services are good, but very busy; it can take weeks to get an 'emergency' appointment. If you need dental treatment you will almost certainly have to pay the full cost as a private patient.

Contraception is widely available through chemists in the 'Family Planning' section. Condoms are also available in supermarkets and many garages. If you would prefer not to have to ask for these, condoms are also available from machines in the lavatories in pubs, clubs and bars.

If you think you may have caught a sexually transmitted disease (also known as STD, STI or VD), a doctor will treat you in confidence (protecting your privacy). Everyone, including visitors, is entitled to free diagnosis and treatment of STDs. The only exception is HIV/AIDS: you may only get diagnosis and initial counselling or emergency care and treatment (that which is immediately necessary).