Treatment in England: emergencies and consultations

London’s public health system, known as the NHS (National Health Service), provides good-quality medical care, generally free of charge for Londoners. The system is comparable to France’s Sécurité Sociale. However, for French nationals, the question of seeking medical treatment in England raises specific concerns, particularly in terms of health insurance. What, then, is the situation for temporary and permanent residents? Let’s take a look at how to access care and get reimbursed in London.

What to do in an emergency in London

Public centers

The English healthcare system, and the care it provides, is of a high standard. In the event of an accident or medical emergency, you can turn without fear to a public facility. Here is a list of addresses for NHS Urgent Care Centres in London. All are open 24 hours a day.

• University College Hospital at 235 Euston Road (Euston Square or Warren Street tube station)
• King’s College Hospital on Denmark Hill (Denmark Hill tube)
• St Mary’s Hospital on Praed Street London (Paddington Station tube)
• Chelsea & Westminster Hospital at 369 Fulham Road (Fulham Broadway tube)
• Charing Cross Hospital, at Fulham Urgent Care Center, on Fulham Palace Road (Hammersmith or Barons Court tube station)

Be aware, however, that hospitals, like the healthcare system, are often overcrowded: there aren’t enough doctors for every patient. This means you may have to wait a very long time to be seen by a doctor (each hospital agrees to see every patient within 48 hours). The other option is to turn to private medical centers.

Private centers

The public healthcare system is already of good quality, and the same applies to the private healthcare system and centers. Most general practitioners and specialists benefit from the same experience and qualifications, whether they work in the public or private sector. In the private sector, GPs will see you the same day for emergencies, or at a time that suits you (ideally by appointment). You can also choose your own doctor. However, fees in these private establishments are higher. There are no reimbursements, and you have to pay out-of-pocket or through supplementary insurance (more on this below).

For non-urgent needs and other consultations

For non-urgent needs, such as consulting a general practitioner, you can also go to one of the Walk-in Centres: the Soho Walk-in Centre or the Parsons Green Walk-in Centre. However, once again, waiting times can be long, as these are public facilities. The other option is to turn to private medical centers (which are more expensive). Note: for a gynecological consultation, you can consult a gynecologist free of charge at family planning. Finally, if you’re moving abroad, it’s advisable to register with a General Practitioner, also known as a GP, as soon as you arrive in London. This is the equivalent of a general practitioner. You’ll find a list on the National Health Service website. The same applies to other healthcare services: you must register with the practice of your choice, whether public or private (for dental, ophthalmic, etc.), and present your residency card.

Treatment in a French-speaking establishment

Finally, if you prefer and feel more at home in England, you can be treated by a French-speaking doctor: there are a number of private French-speaking medical centers. All are located between Earl’s Court and South Kensington:

• The French clinic at The Medical Chambers
• The Medical House
• French Medicare

You can consult general practitioners or specialists, gynecologists, dentists, ophthalmologists and more. On the public side, there’s the French dispensary: a medical aid organization for French people in great difficulty in London (most of the doctors are volunteers). To receive treatment there, you’ll need to pay a subscription fee of £10, then pay a flat-rate consultation fee of £10 (by appointment only).

International health insurance: essential protection

International health insurance enables you to benefit from reimbursements for your healthcare costs, including coverage for medical expenses, consultations with general practitioners or specialists, as well as repatriation or assistance cover. Before choosing an insurance policy, it’s a good idea to compare the offers available to find the one that best suits your specific needs.

CFE: An asset for expatriates in London

If you’re an expatriate in London, joining the Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE ) can be an advantageous solution for maintaining social security cover similar to that provided by French Social Security. In addition to international health insurance, CFE provides partial reimbursement of your medical expenses, whether you seek treatment in the public or private British healthcare system. In the event of treatment in France, your medical expenses can also be covered under the same conditions as if you were resident in France. This gives you extra security and helps you avoid heavy medical bills during your stay in London. For long-term expatriation, joining the CFE is a wise choice, coupled with international health insurance for optimum coverage.

How do I get reimbursed?

Healthcare costs in the UK are higher than in France, ranging from €95 to €135 for a standard consultation and over €150 for a specialist in the public sector. In the private sector, fees are higher and depend on the practice and/or doctor. Until January 2021, the question of reimbursement of healthcare costs in the UK did not arise too much (at least, coverage of medical costs in public hospitals): with the European Health Insurance Card, you were covered during your vacations in all member countries of the European Union. However, as of January 1, 2021, France is no longer a member of the EU. To benefit from reimbursement of your healthcare costs, we advise you to take out international health insurance, or private insurance, before you leave. Whether it’s for a vacation, an extended trip or an expatriation (having said that, for an expatriation, it’s worth checking with your employer to see what’s on offer), international health insurance enables you to benefit from reimbursements for all your healthcare costs: coverage of medical expenses and/or hospitalization, consultations with general practitioners or specialists, coverage in the event of repatriation or assistance, and so on. Please visit our Santexpat.fr website to find out more about supplementary insurance for expatriates, and to find the right coverage for your short or long-term stay.