Your NHS Checklist

The National Health Service is 60-years-old this year. Now in 2008, it’s still thought to be one of the best healthcare systems in the world. To celebrate its birthday, there are events happening all over Scotland. If you move to Scotland and become a citizen of the UK, you are sure to be in touch with the NHS. Here is your checklist of services you need to contact. They are all free under the NHS.

Register with a GP

A General Practitioner (doctor) is the first person you contact if you are unwell. Most doctors surgeries or medical centres are open from 8.40am. Some have late opening hours until 6pm. The medical centre will tell you what documents you need to bring with you to register at their practice.

More information about GPs and their services
Find your nearest GP in Scotland

Other services at doctors' surgeries

Most medical centres run other services for their clients.

A lot of medical centres will have a diabetes screening programme. There are nurses to teach people with diabetes about the right diet and how to check their blood sugar, if necessary.

There will be an antenatal clinic, which look after the health of pregnant women.

After you have registered with a GP, you will be given information on other services available at your medical centre.

Emergency Appointments

A lot of doctors' surgeries will have time set aside for emergency appointments. When you register with a GP, the medical centre can tell you when these take place. But you can phone NHS 24 if you need to see a doctor when the doctor's surgery is closed.

More about NHS24

Register with a dentist

Some dentists need you to have a check up with them before you register with them.

More information about dentists
Find an NHS dentist near you on the NHS24 website or on the Scotland's Health on the Web website.

Opticians

Eye tests used to cost an adult £27.50. But since April 2006, everyone who lives in Scotland can get free eye tests under the NHS. Children and people over 60 can also get help towards glasses and contact lenses.

More about opticians
Find your nearest optician in Scotland

Getting a hearing aid

The first person you should contact is your GP if you have any questions about your hearing. If needed, he or she will refer you to a specialist, who will test you to find the best treatment.

More about getting a hearing aid on the NHS website

Prescription Charges

There are people who can get medicines prescribed by their GP free of charge.

Find out about prescription charges

Facts about the NHS

The first day the NHS came into operation was 5 July 1948 and it is now Scotland's largest employer.

You can read about how the NHS came to Scotland on the 60 Years of the NHS website.

Related Links

• More information about the National Health Service
• Read about people working in healthcare
• Information on working in healthcare, social services and care in Scotland
• Read people's stories about the National Health Service and find out more about its history
• Find out more about events happening to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the National Health Service in Scotland
• The development of the Ultrasound on the NHS