Health & the NHS in London

Health care in London is delivered by the National Health Service and, for social care, by your borough council. The two work together but sit in different places: the NHS runs GP surgeries, pharmacies, hospitals and 111; your council arranges adult social care, such as help at home and care assessments. Whatever you need, the first job is usually the same — get registered with a GP, then use the right front door for the situation you are in.

Register with a GP

A GP surgery is the starting point for most NHS care. Registering is free, and you do not need proof of address, immigration status, ID or an NHS number — everyone in England has the right to register. Once you are with a practice you can book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, get referrals to hospital services and see your record online. If you move within London, register with a surgery near your new home.

• Find a GP surgery near you and complete its registration form (online or in person)
• You can register without proof of address or immigration status
• Children and newborns should be registered too, usually by a parent or carer

Urgent, but not an emergency: NHS 111

When you need medical help fast but it is not life-threatening, use NHS 111. It works around the clock, online or by phone, and can direct you to the right service — an urgent treatment centre, an out-of-hours GP, a pharmacy or, if needed, A&E. Using 111 first often means you are seen faster and in the right place, and it can book you a time slot so you are not sitting in a waiting room for hours.

Emergencies: 999 and A&E

Call 999 or go to A&E only for a genuine, life-threatening emergency: chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding that will not stop, signs of a stroke (face dropping, arm weakness, slurred speech), severe allergic reactions, or loss of consciousness. For a stroke, every minute counts — do not wait, call 999. If you are unsure whether it is an emergency, NHS 111 can assess you and arrange an ambulance if one is needed.

Pharmacies

Your local pharmacist is a qualified healthcare professional and one of the most underused parts of the NHS. Without an appointment, a pharmacist can advise on coughs, colds, rashes, hay fever and countless minor illnesses, and through the Pharmacy First service can supply certain prescription medicines for common conditions — such as earache, sore throat, urinary infections and shingles — without you needing to see a GP. Many London pharmacies open late and at weekends.

Mental-health support

Mental health is health. If you are struggling, you do not have to wait for a crisis to ask for help. You can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression without going through your GP. For urgent support at any hour, call NHS 111 and choose the mental-health option to reach your local crisis line. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

Sexual health

NHS sexual-health and contraception services in London are free and confidential. You can visit a local clinic for testing, treatment, contraception and advice, and in most boroughs you can order a free home testing kit for sexually transmitted infections online. You do not need to be registered with a GP to use a sexual-health clinic.

Note: This portal links to official NHS and council services. government.london does not provide medical advice, hold your health record, or take bookings.

Common questions