Accessing healthcare

Your first contact is usually a GP – a family doctor who works in the community. Register with a GP as soon as you can. How to do this depends on where you are in the UK:

• In England: How to register with a GP surgery - NHS
• In Northern Ireland: Your local doctor (GP) | nidirect
• In Scotland: Registering with a GP practice | NHS inform
• In Wales: NHS 111 Wales - Services near you: GPs

You usually need to fill in a form. You might be asked for proof of your identity, address or immigration status. We know that you may not have this. You can register with a GP even if you do not have these documents.

If you are living with Crohn’s and Colitis, make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can. This might be a phone or video appointment. Let them know if you need an interpreter. Your GP can refer you to a hospital IBD team.

If you need urgent care, you can go to an urgent treatment centre. In a medical emergency, call 999 or go to a hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department. These services are also free of charge.

Getting medicines and stoma supplies

If you are registered with a GP, they can prescribe medicines or stoma supplies for you. Your hospital IBD team can also prescribe medicines and stoma supplies. If you are not registered with a GP and you need a prescription urgently, you can book a GP appointment as a temporary resident.

Once you have your prescription, take it to a pharmacy to get your medicines or stoma supplies. Refugees do not have to pay for prescriptions in the UK.

More information

If you are not sure what healthcare you need or how to access it, contact NHS 111:

• Call 111 from any landline or mobile phone
• Visit 111.nhs.uk.

NHS 111 is a free advice service that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information on your NHS entitlements in the UK, visit: NHS entitlements: migrant health guide.

Support from Crohn’s & Colitis UK

Our helpline is a confidential service providing information and support on Crohn's or Colitis to anyone affected by these conditions.

Our team can:

• Help you understand more about Crohn's or Colitis, diagnosis and treatment options
• Provide information and support to help you to live well with your condition
• Help you to find support from others living with the condition

We provide clear, accurate and balanced information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis. We cannot provide specific medical advice. Our helpline is English speaking only.  We understand that this may be difficult for people who do not speak English well or at all. You may find it easier to email using online language translation services. Or you may have access to translators who we can talk to.

Call us on 0300 222 5700
Email helpline@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk
Use our LiveChat