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On this page you will find what to do if you are not registered with a GP and dentist and what support you can get with your health.
Accessing healthcare in Scotland
Most healthcare provided by the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland is free of charge for anyone living in Scotland.
To access NHS healthcare:
- you don’t need a fixed address and can use a temporary address
- you don’t need an identification document (ID) but if you have any form of ID then take this with you for example your ARC or BRP card
- you can ask for an interpreter
Register with a GP
General Practitioners (GP) are like a family doctor who assesses your health and treats all common medical conditions.
GPs are often your first contact with the NHS. If you are not already registered with a GP in your local area, please register as soon as possible. When moving to another accommodation please remember to register with the GP practice in that new area.
If the GP practice has an online registration form:
- fill out a registration form online and email it to the GP practice
If the GP practice does not have an online form:
- go to your local GP practice and tell them that you would like to register. They will give you a registration form to fill out
Find out how to register with a GP practice on NHS Inform.
If the GP practice is full, they may not be able to register you as a patient. If they are unable to register you, they must explain the reason for refusing your request to register in writing within 14 days. If your nearest GP practice is full try another GP practice near you.
Your health needs and other support you can get
Speak to your GP if you or your family have any health conditions. A GP will know which medical tests you need and which questions to ask to better understand your symptoms, what may be causing them and how to treat them.
Your GP can:
- refer you to hospitals and other medical specialists if needed
- assess you for both your physical, mental and emotional health
Physical health could be something like back pain, stomach issues, or an infection. Mental health could be low mood, anxiety, or trouble sleeping. Sometimes physical concerns are linked to emotional and mental health.
Tell your GP if you have any specific needs so that they can refer you for more support. For example, if you have additional needs or have a disability your GP may refer you to social care to assess your needs and provide more support. You can also search for your local council’s social care team and ask for support. GPs can also provide information about your health to the housing or benefits department to support you with your housing and financial needs.
If your GP gives you medicine it is called prescription medicine. In Scotland prescription medicines are free of charge and you can collect your medicines from your local pharmacy. Tell your GP which pharmacy you want collect the medicines from.
If the treatment is not working you can ask your GP to refer you to a medical specialist who can examine you. Use the NHS directory to search for specialists: Scotland's Service Directory - Find health services in Scotland
If you have a minor illness you should go to your local pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist first. Minor illnesses could be coughs, common cold, pains, skin rashes. The pharmacist will let you know if you need to see your GP or any other medical specialist. They may give you advice and provide medication in some cases. You can buy over-the-counter medicines at the local pharmacy. You can’t buy prescription medicines over-the-counter.
Register with a dentist
After you register with a GP find a dentist near you that offers NHS funded dental care.
If you are registered as an NHS patient, you will be charged only part of the cost. (*Please note that many dentists offer private dental care which means patients must pay for the full cost.)
Register as soon as possible as registering with a dentist can take 8 to 10 weeks or longer sometimes. If you are not registered and need urgent dental care you can call for dental care in an emergency. Find the phone number to call for local advice in dental emergencies.
You won’t have to pay any dental treatment costs if you are:
- getting benefits
- on a low income
- aged under 26 years
- pregnant or given birth in the last 12 months
If you are on benefits you may need to show evidence. If you are working and on low income, ask your dentist if you can apply for help with health costs.
Access mental health support
If you are feeling low, anxious or depressed talk to your GP about how you are feeling.
The GP can provide you with medication or refer you onto one of the mental health teams in your area.
If you need to speak to someone about your mental health immediately you can call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87. They are a free and confidential NHS 24 service for people in Scotland over the age of 16. You can talk to an experienced adviser who will listen and offer support. You can ask for an interpreter. If you have a mental health emergency and feel suicidal you should call 999.
Mental health resources:
- Mental Health Foundation created a series of short videos to support mental health. These include tips and advice on staying mentally well: Mental health resources for refugees and asylum seekers
Get help to find a health service near you
If you are unable to register with a GP or dentist, you can also call NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88 to help you find another service near you. You can ask for an interpreter.
You can also use Scotland’s service directory to find your nearest health services: Scotland's Service Directory - Find health services in Scotland. The service directory has the names, addresses, opening times and service details for a wide range health services including dentist, optician, pharmacies, wellbeing services, hospitals and Accident & Emergency units.
Help with costs related to dental care, glasses and contact lenses
Most NHS healthcare in Scotland is free of charge. There are charges for some things such as glasses or contact lenses and some dental treatment. You may not have to pay for these costs if you are eligible to get help with these costs because of your age, low income or other reasons. Find out if you can get help with health costs.
Useful information and links
- Take this GP registration card with you when you need to register with a GP. The card explains your healthcare and patient rights in Scotland
- Find out more about health services and your health rights in Scotland from Just Citizens’ New Scots: Access to Healthcare Toolkit in English, Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani and Urdu
- Check out the Mental health resources for refugees and asylum seekers developed by Mental Health Foundation
- Find out about your patient rights and how to give feedback or complain to the NHS. If you need help with a complaint you can call Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) for advice and support on 0800 917 2127
- Find information on social care and social work services in your local area
Need more help?
Call our free, confidential, helpline to speak to one of our experienced advisers (you can ask for an interpreter) or email refugeesupport@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk.
0808 196 7274
