My college aged daughter just arrived in Edinburgh feeling quite sick, fever, etc. She is just trying to sleep at the hostel.
Is it relatively easy for foreigners to receive health care there and any suggestions for a clinic?
Thanks,

I plan to travel there for work/pleasure couple times this year. Why not call your medical insurance carrier for this information?

schuba: I'm pretty sure a US-based insurance carrier would have no idea about med clinics in Edinburgh (assuming the OP is from the States)

ma7973: Sorry I can't help you specifically - but two things. There are a couple of Edinburgh Fodorites - hopefully one of them will see your thread.

But - yes, she can get medical care. Until a local chimes in, my suggestions are for her to ask the staff at the hostel (or at the Tourist office at Waverly Bridge) for the nearest Doctor's surgery. (surgery is just UK-speak for a doctor's office)

And also for the nearest chemist (drug store). Chemists in the UK are usually really helpful and can probably help w/ the symptoms until she can get in to see a doctor.

When we went to Scotland last year I was worried we'd need a dr for one of my kids (they have a talent for picking up viruses, ear infections etc. mid-vacation). I checked with a friend in Scotland, who in turn checked with her dr's office, who told her we would be able to be seen at any local clinic ("surgery&quot. So, I second the recommendation that your daughter ask the staff or at the tourist board for the nearest surgery. I hope she feels better soon.

We were in Edinburgh for work and my colleague got sick.

Ask at the hostel or in the pharmacy section of Boots or similar store. We were in an apartment and a pharmacist was able to direct us to a surgery (Dr. office) who saw my colleague that day and she got medicine. It was very easy and there were 5 surgeries around our apartment.

Best of luck!

She could also phone NHS Direct 0845 4647
for advice from a nurse.
I'd also echo the advice to ask a pharmacist.

I posted too quick - I agree w/ the others. A minor difference, but its best to ask the hostel's staff for the nearest chemist (Boot's, etc) - and then ask the <u>chemist</u> for the nearest surgery . . .

Same concept - but the chemist will probably have a better idea of which surgery your daughter should contact.

ttt for ma7973

(you started another thread after this one, but it too has fallen off page 1. FYI - to find your posts, click on your name)

According to NHS regulations, only emergency treatment at a hospital A&amp;E and NHS Walk-in Centre is free to non-EU visitors. But in reality many GP surgeries will agree to see a patient as a temporary visitor and charge nothing - you only pay &pound;6.65 per item prescription charge, but you normally have to attend the surgery in person - home visits will be unlikely. If she is really ill, someone should call an ambulance or take her by taxi to the nearest hospital with A&amp;E, where she will be seen free of charge. If hospitalisation and/or surgery is needed, this will be chargeable but presumably she has insurance cover. No pre-payment or credit card imprint is needed.

I agree with the others who have suggested that she ask the hostel for the phone number and address of the local doctor's surgery, and then call and speak to somebody there in order to see if she can make an appointment. That's what I would do anyway.

I found this on an information web site

&quot;If you need urgent medical advice that cannot wait until your GP surgery opens, phone NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24. NHS 24 and NHS Lothian are working together to provide you with emergency medical care ‘out-of-hours’ during the night, at weekends and on public holidays when your GP practice is closed.
If you need to be seen out-of-hours (between 6pm and 8am, at weekends, or on public holidays) an appointment will be made for you at the most convenient out-of-hours centre.
Transport to and from an out-of-hours centre is available for those who require a face-to-face assessment, are clinically safe to travel and who cannot access suitable public or private transport.
Please note that patients are seen by appointment only in out-of-hours centres.
Remember: If you think you need an emergency ambulance for a life-threatening condition, call 999.

Hospitals
Western General Hospital
Crewe Road, Edinburgh, -
Tel. 0131 332 2525
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
City Centre Hospital with Accident &amp; Emergency Dept. 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, - Tel. 0131 536 1000


open Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

U.S. visitors who become ill while in the UK are eligible for free emergency care only. For other treatment, including follow-up care, you'll be asked to pay. Outside Edinburgh, dial tel. 100 and ask the operator for the local police, who will give you the name, address, and telephone number of a doctor in your area.&quot;

The Royal Infirmary isn't in Lauriston Place anymore. They built a new one in the back of beyond (Little France)

it's hard to generalise (especially when we're talking about scotland - and even in england and wales, NHS systems vary greatly) but i have never known an nhs facility to even have the facility to charge people for treatments....confirmed with my partner who does a lot of consulting for the NHS. for example, if you arrive at an A&amp;E or surgery with a problem that requires treatment (even if not life threatening) for example, food poisoning, broken arm, etc, there is NO MECHANISM TO CHARGE YOU. rates are not known (though internally tariffs are maintained for accounting purposes) and there is no way to charge anyone (free at point of delivery is the mantra). even if the rules are that you are not eligible for treatment, in practice the NHS will see you and it will be free. nhs do not do billing, they have no CC machines, no cash boxes, etc. it just doesn't happen.

the nhs has many sins but you must understand the culture as compared to other systems....staff do not act as gatekeepers for care...healthcare is not thought of as something that has a value (arguably one of the sins). so you will not be greeted suspiciously or asked for anything.

the main problem (although scotland's system is much better) is that staff push back and do not employ a 'once and done' approach (absolutely nothing to do with whether you live here or not). for example, you may not be given any medication by the a&amp;e but will be told to go to your GP for follow-up. this is a hassle and may complicate things for a foreigner. but the purpose is not about the payment for care...it's just general incompetence.

private treatment facilities are different...they deal with insurances, collecting payments, billings, etc. the NHS does not.

disclaimer: this is from my own knowledge and experience only. do not plan your vital healthcare needs around this information.

Last summer in Edinburgh my fiance sprained his ankle. We went to the A&amp;E and he was seen within ten minutes. Very quick, very responsive, and great care. We were staying at a B&amp;B and they called a taxi for us that took us to the nearest hospital. If she is feeling quite ill, I would suggest she ask the hostel to do the same.

As far as payment, we unfortunately had to visit the hospital four times in the UK. Twice we had to see a specialist, and we were never charged a dime, not once. She will, of course, have to pay for any prescriptions that that they write for her, but even then we found those to be reasonably priced. Her greatest expense might be the taxi that gets her there!

I hope she feels better soon.

I sure hope ma7973 see these replies. She started 2 threads and doesn't seem to have been back to either of them . . . . .