Healthcare
Medical Treatment
Medical treatment in the UK is free to all European Union (EU) citizens and full-time students studying for more than 6 months.
Registering with a Doctor
Students must register with a doctor. The local health centre (Marylebone Health Centre) will consider all students from Regent's University London for registration, providing that they are studying at the University for more than 6 months or are an EU citizen. Students are advised to register with a doctor during their first week in the UK. Marylebone Health Centre's registration forms are available from Student Services, or can be downloaded from the Centre's website. Forms should be printed out, completed and sent to the Centre. Non EU students living off campus (studying for more than 6 months) can register with Marylebone Health Centre. However, when registering, the student must also notify the Student Centre, who will then provide them with a regents University contact address. The address is needed by the Health Centre for registration purposes.
Accident & Emergency Treatment
All EU /non-EU citizens resident in the UK are entitled to receive accident and emergency hospital care free of charge, although some non-EU citizens may be charged for treatment of pre-existing conditions. The nearest NHS Accident & Emergency Department is at University College London Hospital in Euston Road. Any EU citizens are advised to take their European Health Insurance Card with them, otherwise they may be charged for treatment.
Students with pre-existing medical conditions
Students with a pre-existing medical condition (e.g. epilepsy, diabetes, clinical depression) are encouraged to notify the University of this and register with a doctor as soon as possible. It is helpful for the student to provide the University's Disability Officer with an updated letter from a medical practitioner, giving relevant details about their medical condition and any ongoing treatment. With the student's permission, the Disability Officer can forward the letter to Marylebone Health Centre.
Any student who is currently taking medication is advised to bring a supply with them. Students may wish to bring a doctor’s letter, stating that they need to bring this medication with them. If a student requires a repeat prescription they will need to register with a UK doctor. They should do this as soon as possible. Marylebone Health Centre will only issue repeat prescriptions if a student has been examined by one of their GPs and they are satisfied that the medication prescribed by the doctor in the student’s home country is appropriate and available in this country. Please note, a GP may not be able to agree to a repeat prescription of medication they are not familiar with, and so may want to refer the student on to a specialist. This will cause a delay. It is therefore advisable for students to check in advance exactly how many days' medication will be needed for the duration of their stay, and bring the required amount with them.
If a student chooses not to register with Marylebone Health Centre, once they have a UK address they can find their nearest GP (General Practitioner, or doctor) by entering their post code on the National Health Service website. They then need to contact the practice, to see if the practice is accepting new patients. When registering, students will need to provide appropriate documentation (e.g. passport and proof of UK address).
Student Services can store medication for a student staying on-campus (especially if the prescription needs to be kept refrigerated). Providing the medication is not considered illegal in the UK, there is usually no problem with Customs, provided it is properly labelled.
Ophthalmic and Dental treatment
All students must pay for ophthalmic and dental care on the NHS.
Medical Insurance
The University recommends that all students take out appropriate medical insurance to cover any medical expenses that may occur in the UK and abroad. Any international student studying at the College for less than six months should have taken out medical insurance to cover any required treatment. Students are advised to check with their insurer in advance to find the contact details of local private medical treatment providers. If required, Marylebone Health Centre can provide contact details for the nearby private Wellington Hospital. Students should also make sure that they take the appropriate medical precautions (e.g. vaccinations) before their departure. Students should check with their doctor and Consulate if they are unsure about what they need. Students should be sure to take all their medical insurance documents with them as they may need to provide evidence that they have adequate medical cover.
Travel Insurance
Students should also take out travel insurance that will cover them until they arrive at Regent’s University London and for any excursions they decide to do during or after their stay with us.
Full healthcare details are in the Student Handbook that students receive in Induction Week.
Food allergies
If you have a known food allergy you are advised to notify the Disability Officer, or in her absence, the Head of Student Services. Any student with a known allergy is advised to carry any necessary medication (such as an epi-pen) with them at all times whilst at the university. If you need to avoid certain foods, on arrival, you should make yourself known to the manager in the Refectory, who can liaise with the head chefs and talk you through the daily menu. If you wish, you can contact Vari McGaan (Deputy General Manager for Catering) who will be able to answer any questions you may have: tel 0207 487 7839; McGaanv@regents.ac.uk
Severe allergies: In case you are suddenly taken unwell, it is helpful for the university's first aiders to be notified if you have a severe allergy. Please let the Disability Officer know if you would like first aiders to be informed.
