How does the NHS work? Do you need a European card or have to pay the IHS? How do you find a French-speaking doctor in London? These are just some of the questions we answer in our new free practical guide, aimed at all French speakers who live, study or stay in the UK.
Every day, the Dispensaire Français supports French speakers who feel lost in the maze of the British healthcare system. The NHS is free, but it works very differently from the French system: no direct access to specialists, everything goes through a GP (general practitioner), the IHS surcharge for longer stays… Without any bearings, it is easy to miss care you are actually entitled to.
To help you find your way from the moment you arrive (or to refresh what you already know), we have published a guide in 10 sections covering:
- The essential numbers (999, 112, 111)
- The NHS system, the IHS and the CEAM
- Private healthcare and the three French-speaking centres in London
- NHS Pharmacy First and Walk-in Centres with no appointment needed
- Sexual health, contraception, PrEP/PEP
- Registering with a GP (GMS1 form)
- What to do in the event of a dental emergency, pregnancy, abortion or assisted conception
- Mental health, addictions, renewing a French prescription
- French-English medical vocabulary
- Useful addresses (embassy, FAFGB, etc.)
The guide is freely available online on the website, and can be downloaded as a PDF (7 pages, to keep or print).
📥 Download the PDF version (7 pages)
This guide was created by the teams at the Dispensaire Français – French Benevolent Society to support our mission of serving the most vulnerable French speakers in the UK. If you need personalised guidance, contact us on 020 8222 8822 or by email at info@df-sfb.org.uk.
