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03-16-2004, 07:57 AM
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#1 |
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Elminster
 Join Date: April 23, 2002
Location: Helena, MT
Age: 40
Posts: 458
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Hey, I'm an American Student studying at the University of Ulster at Coleraine for two semesters. I've been here since Sept. 12 2003, and I was just fortunate enough to catch a mild case of conjunctivitis (pink eye) [img]graemlins/crying.gif[/img] . How does the healthcare here work?
I tried talking to the people at the student health service, and they said they couldn't do anything for me unless I was registered with a general practitioner, and I tried to go to a GP and the secretary at the Doctor's office said that unless I wanted to spend some hefty sums in doctors' fees, I would be better off going straight to the pharmacist. I don't have any problem paying for my medicine and my health care, but I just don't understand the system. Any help? 
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[img]\"http://userpic.livejournal.com/10817323/260901\" alt=\" - \" /><br />\"My style? You could call it the art of fighting without really fighting.\"<br /><br />\"Something vexes thee?\" |
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03-16-2004, 08:20 AM
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#2 | |
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Jack Burton
 Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Airstrip One
Age: 40
Posts: 5,571
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Quote:
If you are a student in the UK and your course lasts 6 months+ you are entitled to free treatment under the NHS. But to get any treatment you will need to register with a GP. If you living in the UK for less than 6 months you will have to be treated as a private patient and you will need to pay privately. The eye drops commonly prescribed for conjunctivitis are only available with a prescription. So going directly to the pharmacist won't help you.They are cheap £1.08 for a course but an NHS prescription will cost you £6.80 (I think).
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[img]\"http://www.wheatsheaf.freeserve.co.uk/roastspurs.gif\" alt=\" - \" /> <br />Proud member of the Axis of Upheaval<br />Official Titterer of the Laughing Hyenas<br />Josiah Bartlet - the best President the US never had.<br />The 1st D in the D & D Show |
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03-16-2004, 08:51 AM
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#3 |
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Zartan
 Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: London, England
Age: 53
Posts: 5,164
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Donut has the answer [img]smile.gif[/img]
Last time I had conjunctivitis I bought some brolene eye drops over the counter at the chemists, they cleared it up ok. Give that a go but if there's no improvement within 3 days you really ought to go and register with the GP - you shouldn't mess about where your eyes are concerned!
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[img]\"http://www.wizardrealm.com/images/epona.gif\" alt=\" - \" /> |
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03-16-2004, 09:55 AM
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#4 |
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Elminster
Join Date: April 23, 2002
Location: Helena, MT
Age: 40
Posts: 458
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There aren't people on this forum. It's just a giant computer with lightning responses.
 Cheers Donut, Epona.If I've already been here for six months, but I'm only going to be here another three months, and I haven't yet registered with any specific GP, am I still allowed access to healthcare? The chemist hooked me up with some brolene, so hopefully that'll clear up the infection. Sheesh. Pink-eye. I look like some 8-year-old's pet rabbit with glowing pink orbs set nicely in my face. (it's actually a really mild case of conjunctivitis, but that doesn't make it any less annoying). At least there's a smiley just for me [img]graemlins/borgboy.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/borgboy.gif[/img]
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[img]\"http://userpic.livejournal.com/10817323/260901\" alt=\" - \" /><br />\"My style? You could call it the art of fighting without really fighting.\"<br /><br />\"Something vexes thee?\" |
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03-16-2004, 10:45 AM
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#5 |
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Jack Burton
Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Airstrip One
Age: 40
Posts: 5,571
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as long as you have been, or will have been in the country for 6 months you qualify.
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[img]\"http://www.wheatsheaf.freeserve.co.uk/roastspurs.gif\" alt=\" - \" /> <br />Proud member of the Axis of Upheaval<br />Official Titterer of the Laughing Hyenas<br />Josiah Bartlet - the best President the US never had.<br />The 1st D in the D & D Show |
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03-16-2004, 11:44 AM
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#6 |
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Dracolisk
 Join Date: November 1, 2002
Location: Australia ..... G\'day!
Posts: 6,123
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Socialism at work, the cost wont get ya but the red tape will. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Even if you eye gets better soon Ryaldin, and i hope it does, still register at the doctor just in case an emergancy comes about. When you are feeling bad the last thing you need is bloody paperwork
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 fossils - natures way of laughing at creationists for over 3 billion years |
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03-16-2004, 12:12 PM
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#7 |
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Elminster
Join Date: April 23, 2002
Location: Helena, MT
Age: 40
Posts: 458
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You know, the last time I had a life-threatening emergency, it was only the paperwork that kept me sane. Sitting in the waiting room, with an appendage draggin along the ground or propped up against the chair, I could fill out all the information necessary to remind myself who I was, and what I was doing here. Plus, it keeps you from getting bored while you wait for the doctors to finish with the other 75 patients who are dismembered or need emergency hangnail operations [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img]
Of course, Wellard, it's important to be prepared. I just need to squeeze in some extra time to visit a GP between writing up a BIO report, filing my taxes back in the states, washing my socks (the sock coefficient has fallen to zero. I am currently wearing my last pair of clean socks. THIS IS THE POINT OF NO RETURN) and vacuuming the living room. No problem  [ 03-16-2004, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: ryaldin ]
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[img]\"http://userpic.livejournal.com/10817323/260901\" alt=\" - \" /><br />\"My style? You could call it the art of fighting without really fighting.\"<br /><br />\"Something vexes thee?\" |
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