Health

This page explains the free healthcare that is available to you while we are considering your application for asylum.

While you are waiting for your asylum decision, you and your dependants can receive healthcare from the National Health Service (often known as the NHS). This includes seeing a doctor or having hospital care free of charge.

You can register with a doctor who practises in your area (known as a GP, or general practitioner) and with a dentist.

If you receive asylum support from the UK Border Agency you may qualify for extra free healthcare such as NHS prescriptions, dental care, sight tests and vouchers to help you buy glasses. To get this you need to obtain an HC2 certificate, which is issued by the UK Border Agency on behalf of the Department of Health and is evidence that you cannot afford to pay for these things yourself. Ask your case owner about this. The certificate is for you and any dependants you have. It is valid for six months.

If you do not receive asylum support you will need to obtain an HC1 form that can be used to claim help with NHS prescriptions, dental care, sight tests and vouchers to help you buy glasses. You will be given a certificate that is valid for you and any dependants you have. You can pick up an HC1 claim form from a Jobcentre Plus Office or NHS hospital. You can also request a form by telephoning 0845 850 1166.

If you have special health needs, including care for conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis or severe mental health problems, you should tell your case owner.

If you have been a victim of torture, you may need extra support. See Help and advice for more information.

You can obtain medical advice from a nurse at any time of day or night by phoning the NHS Direct service on 0845 46 47. You can ask for an interpreter to help you when you call.

See the Department of Health website for a fact sheet that explains the role of the NHS to new asylum applicants. It tells you how to register with a doctor and how to access emergency services. It is available in many different languages.

If someone is seriously ill and needs to be taken to hospital immediately, you can phone 999. Tell the person who answers that you need an ambulance. This call is free from any phone, but must only be used for emergencies. If you do not speak English, tell the person who answers the call which language you speak, so they can find the right interpreter for you quickly.