The University of Sheffield
Student Life

Relatives And Friends

Family

1. Dependants (spouse and children)

  1. are eligible for NHS treatment if they are travelling with the student on a dependants visa.
  2. are not eligible if they come for less than 6 months MEDICAL INSURANCE REQUIRED.

2. Your Family's Health

  1. A parent may be made anxious by the ill-health of a child – particularly a young one. In general, if thought to be unwell, phone the Health Centre for an appointment. (Outside opening hours your call will be answered by NHS Direct who will advise you accordingly.)
  2. It is important that someone who speaks good English is present when visiting the Health Centre or speaking to the on-call doctor. It is difficult for doctors to help if their questions are not understood or symptoms cannot be described. The doctor can arrange an interpreter in advance of the consultation if given enough notice.

3. Drugs for Relatives at Home

Doctors in this country are not permitted to supply a patient with drugs or prescriptions for medicines for use by relatives in the home country, even if these medicines are not available in that country.

4. Visitors

  1. We strongly advise that your visitors take out medical insurance unless their country has a reciprocal agreement with UK. (In this case, they will need to bring appropriate documentation to prove this. E.g. EHIC card from EEA countries.)
  2. Visitors without insurance or reciprocal agreements must be prepared to meet the full cost of any medical treatment they may need in UK.
  3. Medical visitors (i.e. those coming to UK for the purpose of medical treatment or consultation) should enter on the appropriate visa, not the normal visitor's visa.