London Health

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The UK's National Health Service (NHS) will provide emergency treatment for anyone in the UK, irrespective of whether they reside in the UK. In a medical emergency, dial 999 or 112. These numbers are free of charge from any telephone. For advice on non-emergency medical problems, you can ring the 24 hour NHS Direct service on 0845 4647.

Emergencies can be dealt with under the NHS system at any hospital with an A & E (Accident & Emergency) department. At A & E departments, be prepared to wait for up to 2-3 hours during busy periods before being given treatment if your medical complaint is not too serious.

Major A & E hospitals in London are:

• Central Middlesex Hospital, Acton Ln, Park Royal, NW10 7NS
• Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Rd, Hammersmith, W6 8RF
• Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Rd, Chelsea, SW10 9TR
• Greenwich District Hospital, Vanbrugh Hill, SE10 9HE
• Guy's Hospital, St. Thomas St, Bankside, SE1 9RT
• Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, Homerton, E9 6SR
• King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 9RS
• Lewisham Hospital, High St, SE13 6LH
• Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton Ln, SW15 5PN
• Royal Free Hospital, 23 East Heath Rd, Hampstead, NW3 1DU
• The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets, E1 1BB
• St. Marys NHS Trust, Praed St, Paddington, W2 1NY
• St. Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Rd, South Bank, SE1 7EH
• University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, 25 Grafton Way, Bloomsbury, WC1E 6DB
• Whittington Hospital, Highgate Hill, Archway, N19 5NF

For advice on minor ailments and non-prescription drugs, consult a high street pharmacist.

London is also home to some of the most renowned (and most expensive) private medical treatment facilities. Most notable of all are probably the host of private consultants and surgeons on Harley St in Marylebone.