Register with a GP/doctor

All eligible students must register with a GP/Doctor when living in Edinburgh. This page will explain who is eligible, how to register and how to access medical assistance.

Step 1: Before you arrive – finding a GP practice

Healthcare in Scotland

If you’re already registered with a GP elsewhere in the UK, we recommend registering with a GP practice in Edinburgh if this will be your main home during your studies.

Find local GP practices

Some GP practices fill up quickly with new students, so it’s a good idea to identify at least three practices close to your semester-time address in Edinburgh.

You can use the NHS website to find which GP practices cover your address:

University Health Service

The University Health Service is an NHS GP practice located on Bristo Square, Central Campus.

  • Students living within the practice catchment area may register, whether in University-managed or private accommodation
  • Registration is subject to capacity once students have arrived in Edinburgh
  • All registrations are completed online via the practice website
  • Please do not attend the practice in person to register
  • University Health Service

Step 2: When you arrive – registering with a GP practice

Once you arrive in Edinburgh, you can register with your chosen GP practice. Registration usually involves completing one or two forms.

Explained on the GP practice website and/or within the registration forms:

  • how to register
  • which forms to complete
  • what documents are required (such as proof of address, identity, and student status)
  • how to return your forms

Patient Registration – General Practitioners (GPs)

After you’ve registered

After registering, take some time to familiarise yourself with how your GP practice works, including:

  • where to go for appointments
  • how to book appointments
  • how to order prescriptions

Opening hours vary between practices. Some are open only on weekdays, while others also offer evening or Saturday appointments. We recommend checking each practice’s website for up-to-date opening times.

The following short video guide will talk you through the steps above and will outline who is eligible, how to register and how to access medical assistance.

Registering for a GP when you join us in Edinburgh is vital as it allows you to access medical services. A GP or general practitioner is a doctor in the UK. If you're staying in Edinburgh for more than three months, you can register for a GP near where you live. Even if you are already registered with a GP elsewhere in the UK it is a good idea to register in Edinburgh in case you need urgent medical treatment or medication. 

To find a GP near you, make sure you know where in Edinburgh you're staying. You can then use your postcode to search for GPs in your local area through the NHS Scotland Inform website. Once you're on the GPs website, find the patient or practice information page where you can access information on how to register. Please note that whilst there may be a GP practice near your accommodation, it may be outside of the GP boundary area. 

Normally, GPs will attach a map of the boundary. However, occasionally, they list the streets in words. If this is the case, you can use Google maps to plot these streets onto a map to form a boundary area. We recommend having a list of three potential options which you could sign up for when you arrive in Edinburgh. 

Once you've arrived and are looking to register with the GP, you must fill in registration forms with your personal details such as name, address, and place of birth. Registration can vary between GP practises. For example, some may require you to go into the practice to register, whilst others use online registration systems. Once you are registered, make sure you know how to make appointments, request prescriptions, and where you need to go to see your doctor. If you cannot find a GP that accepts new patients, don't worry. Some GPs take on new patients on a rolling basis, so they may have slots opening in the coming weeks. 

If you cannot find a GP within the first few months of arriving in Edinburgh, you can contact practitioner services. You can find the e-mail to get in touch with them on the register for a GP page on the new students. Remember, that in an emergency, you can contact 999 for an ambulance or 111 for non urgent medical advice. For more information on topics such as short term visits, ADHD medication, and existing medical conditions, you can visit the new students website.

I can't find a GP practice who are accepting patients

If all the GP practices in your local area are full, contact Practitioner Services using the contact details below. They can offer more guidance and, where necessary, allocate a practice to you.

loth.primarycareenquiries@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

​​​​​Contact the Patient Advice and Support Service for more help

Personal information

There is no link between NHS services and the University, so the information you give the University is not shared with your GP and vice versa. You need to give consent for any GP information to be shared with the University. If you change your address, phone number, or email, you must let your GP practice know as well as the University.

There is no secure link between University or personal email addresses and the NHS so please avoid sending sensitive or personal information by email. If you do, your GP practice cannot respond to you in any detail.

Emergency medical assistance

If you are unable to get to a GP or need immediate or out of hours medical advice, you can:

Hospital treatment

For emergency services, including police, fire brigade and ambulance, call 999.

Emergency services are available to everyone in the UK, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Emergency Departments (Accident & Emergency)

Not sure who to contact

NHS Services (737.06 KB / PDF)

Student Health | NHS inform

Student Vaccinations

Infectious diseases can spread easily in university communities. More face-to-face contact means you’re at higher risk of catching and passing on infectious diseases. The University encourages you to protect yourself by having the appropriate vaccinations.

Register with a dentist and optician

Information on how to access dental and optician services as a student.

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