In a medical emergency, this is when you or some else is seriously ill, injured, or someone’s life is at risk please dial 999.
Update December 2023
You should register with a local doctor – a General Practitioner (GP) – to care for your health conditions, keep your body healthy and to get help in case you get sick.
Watch our video to understand how medical care in Scotland works.
You can find a list of GPs HERE. If you cannot find a practice open to new patients you can contact the NHS for registration support.
Please note that not all Medical Practices notify you of successful registration. This includes Old Aberdeen Medical Practice where you may have registered but not received confirmation of successful registration. If in doubt, contact the Practice to confirm.
In the meantime there is a range of support available:
- You can visit your local pharmacist who can help and advise you on minor health concerns.
- The Know-Who-To-Turn-To guide is also helpful in determining what services you should contact.
- You can use the NHS 24 Online app to find your nearest services, to assess your symptoms and find out what you should do next.
- The Student Helpline is available to you 24 hours a day and offers free-of-charge emotional support.
- If you find it challenging finding a suitable service please make an appointment with our Student Support Advisors who can help.
It is important that you register with a local doctor when you move to Aberdeen, preferably within two weeks of your arrival.
Do not wait until you are sick to register. It is especially important to register with a doctor if you have any prescriptions as you will not be able to renew them until you are registered. If you are already registered with a doctor based in Aberdeen, then you do not need to register with another.
How to register
- Use the 'Find a GP' service to look up the nearest medical practices that cover your area
- Visit the GP Practice website for details on how to register
What you need
- Proof of identity (passport/ID card)
- Proof of address (to show that you live in the practice catchment area)
- UK phone number (Please note your GP will only be able to call you back if you have a UK phone number. You can pick up a free SIM card from the Infohub.)
International students
- If you are a Tier 4 student and you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (HIS) as part of your visa application you will be able to access National Health Service (NHS) treatment when you arrive in Scotland. You will need to pay for dental treatment.
- Additional visa applications will require a further payment for the period of the extension. If you are a student coming for short-term study you must obtain medical insurance before travelling to the UK.
- European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss national students should obtain a European Health Insurance card (EHIC) from your country prior to coming to the UK.
Medical Care when your GP is closed/you are not registered with a GP
If you need urgent health advice when your GP practice is closed or before you have managed to register with a GP, you should call NHS 24 on 111. They can advise you on what to do or book an emergency doctor appointment at your primary care emergency centre if the nurse practitioner thinks it is necessary.
The Know-Who-To-Turn-To guide is also helpful in determining what services you should contact based on your issues.