Tourist Healthcare in the UK

Doctorcall can arrange private GP care for visitors, hotel guests, business travellers and people staying temporarily in the UK.

Appointments can take place at home, in your hotel or by phone or video consultation. Doctorcall provides home visits across Great Britain and Dublin, with telephone and video consultations also available.

Doctorcall provides private GP home visits across many locations in Great Britain and Dublin, with telephone and video consultations also available. Coverage can depend on your location, the time of your request and doctor availability.

You can view the full list of private GP home visit locations here: Doctorcall private GP home visit coverage .

You can contact Doctorcall directly to discuss private GP care at home, in your hotel or by phone or video consultation.

Call 0344 257 0345 or visit doctorcall.co.uk to arrange care.

Tourists and visitors may be able to use some NHS services while in the UK, but this does not always mean treatment is free. Access and charges can depend on the type of care needed, how long you are staying, your immigration or residency status, your country of residence and which part of the UK you are in.

If you are visiting the UK, it is sensible to check official NHS guidance before travelling and make sure you have suitable travel or medical insurance.

Some NHS services are free to everyone, including certain emergency department services. However, if you are admitted to hospital or need further treatment, charges may apply if you are not ordinarily resident in the UK and do not qualify for an exemption.

The rules can be different for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so visitors should check the guidance for the part of the UK they are visiting.

Public healthcare in the UK is mainly provided through the NHS. It is publicly funded, but visitors may still need to pay for some NHS treatment depending on their circumstances.

Private healthcare is paid for directly by the patient, through private medical insurance or through a travel insurer or assistance company. Private GP care can be useful for visitors who want faster access, more flexibility or the option of being seen at their hotel, home or temporary address.

No. The UK has a shared NHS model, but healthcare rules, services and visitor charging arrangements can vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you are travelling around the UK, check the guidance for the nation you are visiting, especially if you may need hospital care or ongoing treatment.

If you feel unwell while visiting the UK, first decide whether it is an emergency. For serious or life-threatening symptoms, call 999 or go to A&E.

For symptoms that are not life-threatening, you may be able to use NHS 111, speak to a pharmacist, contact your travel insurer or arrange a private GP appointment. If you are staying in a hotel, the concierge or reception team may also be able to help you contact a local medical provider.

You should call 999 for serious or life-threatening emergencies. This can include severe chest pain, signs of a stroke, serious breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding, a major injury, a seizure or a sudden collapse.

If you are unsure but the situation feels urgent and serious, it is safer to treat it as an emergency.

NHS 111 is for urgent medical problems that are not life-threatening. It can help direct you to the right service, such as a pharmacist, urgent treatment centre, out-of-hours GP or emergency care if needed.

NHS 111 is not a replacement for 999 in a serious emergency.

If your child has serious symptoms, breathing difficulty, signs of dehydration, a seizure, a severe allergic reaction or you are very worried, seek urgent medical help immediately.

For less urgent symptoms, you may be able to contact NHS 111, speak to a pharmacist, contact your travel insurer or arrange a private GP appointment. If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel team may also be able to help you arrange medical support.

Visitors may be able to access GP services in some circumstances, but availability can vary and registration may not be straightforward if you are only in the UK for a short time.

Some visitors choose a private GP because it can be simpler to arrange an appointment, especially if they are staying in a hotel, travelling for work or need medical support quickly.

Yes, visitors to London can usually choose to see a private doctor and pay directly for the appointment or use private medical or travel insurance if their policy covers it.

A private GP appointment may be useful for symptoms that need medical assessment but are not a life-threatening emergency.

Yes, private GP hotel visits may be available in London. This can be useful if you are feeling too unwell to travel, are unfamiliar with the local healthcare system or would prefer to be seen privately in your hotel room.

Doctorcall can arrange private GP care in hotels, at home or by phone or video consultation.

A doctor may issue a prescription after assessing you, if medication is clinically suitable. This may be an NHS prescription or a private prescription, depending on the service you use and your circumstances.

If you are using private healthcare, you may need to pay separately for the medication at the pharmacy.

Travel insurance may cover some medical costs, but every policy is different. Some policies may cover private GP appointments, hospital treatment or medical assistance, while others may have exclusions, excess fees or approval requirements.

If you become unwell while travelling, check your policy documents or contact your insurer or assistance company before arranging private care, unless it is an emergency.

If you become unwell during a business trip, check how urgent the problem is first. For emergencies, call 999 or go to A&E.

For non-emergency medical problems, you may be able to contact NHS 111, speak to your travel insurer, ask your hotel for help or arrange a private GP appointment. Private GP care can be helpful if you need medical support without spending time finding and travelling to a clinic.