Health and wellbeing

The Health System in the UK can sometimes be difficult to understand.

Lancashire Refugee Integration Team commissioned Rethink Rebuild Society to create a series of videos in Arabic. The aim of the videos is to raise awareness about the health System in England amongst Arabic-speaking refugees.

You can find these videos on the Rethink Rebuild Youtube Channel. Alongside each video there is also a link to a booklet. These include more information about each topic, including extra information that could not fit within the video. To view the booklet, visit the YouTube page below.

مقدمة حول خدمة الصحة الوطنية في انجلترا Introduction to the Health System in England - YouTube

Doctors

A General Practitioner (GP) or doctor is the key representative of the NHS in a community. They are highly skilled and will help to manage and treat illness in all family members. Treatment via a GP is free and all conversations are confidential. Medical records of adults will not be shared with any other family members.

The GP will make referrals to other specialist services. Some of these are within their surgery, such as blood tests, health workers and birth control. They will also make referrals to hospitals for more specialised services. Most practices will have male and female doctors, and it’s usually possible to request to see either. 

Having a 9am appointment does not mean leaving your house at 9am! It is extremely important that you allow time to arrive early and expect that the doctor may not see you at the time of your appointment. If you are late for an appointment, you may not be seen and must rebook for another day. If you need an urgent appointment you will most likely have to call the surgery at 8am.

All GP surgeries have access to interpreters, usually via a phone line, for all patients.

Visit the NHS website for information on how to find and register with a GP surgery 

Pharmacy

Your doctor will prescribe medications, if they feel these are needed. These will be dispensed via a pharmacy and sometimes there may be a charge for this service. Some medications can be dispensed directly from a pharmacist in a chemist.

Visit the NHS website to find a pharmacy

Some medications in the UK use pork gelatine and are not halal. Please discuss this with your GP if this will be an issue for you.

Hospitals

If you have a health emergency, you should attend Accident and Emergency (A&E) at your nearest hospital. It is free to use A&E and interpreters should be provided.

If you cannot get to the hospital, you can call Emergency Services by calling 999. This should be used in the event of an accident or health emergency only. Those who do not speak English should say the name of the language that they do speak e.g. “Arabic”, and an interpreter will be sourced.

You can also call ‘111’ NHS 24 hour advice line if you are worried about your health and need some advice.

Covid

Get NHS advice about COVID-19, including symptoms, testing and vaccination.

You can also call 119, where language support is available.

NHS website to book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination or speak to your GP.

You can find a range of translated information about Covid on the Doctors of the World website.

Maternity hospitals and services

If you are pregnant, it is really important that you tell a GP as soon as possible so that they can link you in with your local maternity services. Maternity Stream of Sanctuary provides lots of useful resources to explain maternity services in the UK. 

The Refugee Council provide the following guide: Maternity Care in the UK for women on asylum support. The guide is for pregnant women and new mothers who are receiving asylum support in the UK. It explains the healthcare services and financial support available to you during pregnancy and after you give birth. 

Maternity Action has further information on maternity rights and benefits for refugees. 

Dentistry

See video on YouTube in Arabic: خدمة الصحة الوطنية - العيادة السنية Dental Clinic - YouTube

It is highly likely that you will not have received dental treatment for a long time. If you wish to find a dentist you can search for one here, but please note there is unfortunately a shortage of appointments nationwide - Find a dentist - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

If you're struggling to find a dentist then there is some more advice here - How to find an NHS dentist - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

If you're in pain and need an emergency appointment, you can contact the Lancashire & South Cumbria Emergency Dental Helpline on 0300 123 4010

Mental Health

See video on YouTube on Arabic: خدمة الصحة الوطنية- خدمات العيادة النفسية Mental Health Services - YouTube

Being forced to leave your country can have a very negative impact on your mental health. Everybody struggles with mental ill health at some point in their life. It is important you speak to your GP if you are having feelings of depression, hopelessness, anxiety or recurring nightmares.

The Migrants’ Rights Network has lots of resources to help you understand more about what support is available for you.

If you're experiencing mental health problems, please visit your GP.

Mental health support services

We'd also offer some of the following avenues of support:

NHS mental health services

Mental Health Crisis Line – 0800 953 0110

Wellbeing Helpline – 0800 915 4640  

Wellbeing Texting Service – text 'Hello' to 07860 022 846

Lifeline – 0808 808 8000

Samaritans – phone 116 123 

Barnardo's Ukrainian Support Helpline – 0800 148 8586

Barnardo's Boloh Helpline for people seeking asylum - 0800 151 2605

Various health services

Visit the NHS website to find NHS services near you including hospitals, opticians, mental health services and more.

To find Children & Family Services visit the Lancashire County Council Children and Family Wellbeing Service website.

For translated resources and information, visit the Barnardo's website 

To find other resources on health and wellbeing, see the Refugee Council's therapeutic wellbeing resources.