Healthcare

New students: Don't forget to register with your local GP!

Registration with a GP, healthcare and prescriptions are free and delivered by the NHS in Scotland.

The NHS provides free healthcare to UK residents through public funding. International students who hold a valid student visa can expect to receive treatments from the UK's National Health Service (NHS).

More information about healthcare for international students.

Students living on campus or in the Musselburgh area (postcodes EH15 or EH21)

Please Register with Riverside Medical Practice 

If you have registered at Riverside Medical Practice, please note the following information: 

1. To make an appointment, call 0300 790 6266 from 8.30am for new health concerns only (call from 8am for emergencies only). You can also book an appointment online. For more information, see the practice's appointment booking information.
2. To make a same-day appointment, call 'CWIC' Direct on 0300 790 6292 Mon-Fri 8.30-10.30am (appointments available all day) for new symptoms, including chest infections, headache, tonsillitis, abdominal pain etc.) No need to call the GP practice directly.
3. Call after 10am for all other matters, including booking blood tests, booking nurse appointments (smear tests, asthma checks, diabetes checks etc.) or prescription and admin queries.
4. For mental health concerns you can access the 'CWIC' mental health support service which can also be reached on 0300 790 6292

Please note: It can be difficult to get through to the Practice to book a GP appointment due to current pressures on the NHS but please persist.

Riverside Medical Practice is located at:

Musselburgh Primary Care Centre
Inveresk Road
Musselburgh
East Lothian
EH21 7BP

If you have a health concern which you feel needs attention that day but GP appointments are fully booked, you can request an emergency assessment by one of the Practice's triage nurse practitioners, who will assess whether you need an emergency GP appointment.

When registering

1. Take along a good supply of any prescribed medications (4-8 weeks+)
2. Take an electronic copy of a medical summary listing any diagnoses and repeat medications and/or a photograph of a repeat medictations slip. These can both be emailed to the practice after you have registered (you will get a text if you have supplied them with a mobile number). 
3. Be aware that if you re-register with a home practice when back home for holidays, you will need to re-register with Riverside Medical Practice on your return. The recommendation instead is to register as a temporary resident while at home for the holidays.

Prescriptions

Once you are registered with the Practice you can order prescriptions online or order via your local pharmacy. You cannot order prescriptions by calling the Practice.

You can also continue to get your prescriptions from your home practice if you prefer.

Students living outside of Musselburgh

Please check the NHS 24 find a GP surgery

For medical emergencies outside of open hours (6pm onwards)

Call NHS 24 directly by phoning 111 between 6 pm to 8 am