A guide to NHS Services in Scotland

Did you know that, as a student living and studying in Scotland, you are able to access the National Health Service (NHS) for any healthcare requirements? This includes free access to a GP, hospitals, dentists, pharmacies and more. 

With so many options available, finding out where and how to access the correct service can be confusing so we've pulled together a quick guide to help you identify the essentials. 

NHS Inform

NHS inform is a special website from NHS 24 which you'll find at www.nhsinform.scot. The site offers lots of health and care information to help you make decisions about your health. This includes a Symptom Checker to assess your systems and get advice on what to do next, information about available services and opening times and general health advice and information.

Pharmacist 

Your local Pharmacist may be able to help you with a range of minor conditions like coughs, cold, sore throat, aches, and pains. They can also help you with your repeat prescriptions. 

GP Practice

GP Practices have a range of clinicians on duty, including doctors and nurses, and they will be able to help you with both physical and mental health issues.

Remember to register with a local practice as soon as possible after your arrival in Glasgow and don't leave it until you're feeling under the weather! 

Dentist

If you've got toothache, swelling in the mouth or received an injury to your mouth you'll want to make sure that you're registered with a dental surgery. Find out the location of local practices on the NHS Service Directory.

NHS 24

When your GP and local pharmacy are closed, and you are too ill to wait for them reopening, you can call NHS 24 on 111 and receive telephone support and guidance from a trained professional. You can also download the free NHS 24 Online App from the Apple and Google Play stores. This includes a symptom checker and service locator.

NHS Mental Health Services

The NHS have a range of support available for mental wellbeing on their website: nhsinform.scot/mind-to-mind. 

If you'd like to speak to someone, the Breathing Space helpline is also available on 0800 83 85 87. Breathing Space is a confidential listening service for people in with anxiety, depression or experiencing low mood and is open between 6pm and 2am on weekdays and 24 hours a day at the weekend.  

If you require urgent mental healthcare you call NHS 24 on 111 for guidance and support.

999 or Accident & Emergency

If you experience a medical emergency that is threatening to life or limb, you should call 999 or go straight to A&E. 

If your issue is urgent but not life or limb threatening or you're not sure if you need to visit A&E, you can call NHS 24 on 111 for guidance and support, day or night.