Below is some key information to help refugees access health and care services in the UK. If you need any help finding a health or social care service please get in touch.
Arriving in the UK
The Government has put together guides in various languages for refugees arriving in the UK. This includes important information on accessing healthcare, benefits, essential public services, education and housing.
How the NHS works
‘How The NHS Works’ is a leaflet with images which has also been translated into Ukrainian.
What medical support are you entitled to if you’re new to the UK?
For new arrivals to the UK it can be confusing where to go if you need medical assistance. Healthwatch England outlines your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.
This page also explains how to find a local pharmacy, optician and dentist.
First Aid
St John Ambulance provides first aid guidance and support. Find translated resources at their website.
Social prescribing
Social prescribing can support you with any non-medical needs you may have, by linking you to sources of help. If you choose to use the service, you will be assigned a Social Prescriber, or Living Well Coordinator, who will initially provide up to eight sessions of support. They can help with issues such as emotional wellbeing, finances and benefits, family, relationships and parenting, employment and skills, social networks and healthy lifestyles.
To access the service, ask any member of staff at your GP practice for a referral.
Northumberland County of Sanctuary
Northumberland County of Sanctuary runs a weekly drop-in in Ashington, Bedlington and Blyth. These sessions are friendly, informal and open to anyone going through the asylum system to find out more about education, healthcare and housing services.
Cost of living information and support
Our cost of living information page gives details of organisations which can offer support with energy costs, prescription and healthcare appointments costs, food, and mental health.
This information is available in easyread, Arabic, Bengali, Kurdish, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian. We can also provide large format copies. If you would like any printed copies of the booklet in any of these formats, please get in touch and we will post to you free of charge.
Accessing NHS 111
The following information has been translated into a range of different languages and explains how to access NHS services.
To access NHS 111 in another language, you just need to say “interpreter” to the call handler and then say the language you wish to communicate in.
Useful contacts
Northumberland County Council
Age UK Northumberland
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Education and Skills
Here you will find information about schools and colleges, term and holiday dates, adult courses, apprenticeships, enrolment and support.
Healthwatch England
Information and advice on health and social care
