Accessing healthcare

Student Support does not offer a crisis service. If you need immediate support, visit our crisis support and information page. 

Click a heading below to learn how to access routine and non-urgent health care.

Routine and non-urgent health care

You should register with a GP as soon as you arrive in Cambridge. If you need support with this, you can speak to your College’s health and wellbeing team. 

  • You cannot register with more than one GP in the UK.
  • You can register as a temporary resident with a GP surgery for up to 3 months, which is useful if you are living away from Cambridge during vacations. 

Helpful links and guidance 

Many Cambridge College Health and Wellbeing Teams include a College Nurse. To find out more, visit your College's wellbeing information pages.

Pharmacists, also called “chemists”, are healthcare professionals who check, prepare and give out prescription medicines.

They can also advise on mild health conditions,

  • You don’t need to make an appointment to see a pharmacist.
  • You will usually have to pay a prescription charge for any medicines or devices prescribed to you.

Helpful links and guidance 

Very few dental practices in Cambridge accept new NHS patients. If you are already registered as an NHS patient elsewhere in the UK, it’s best to stay registered there to keep your eligibility for NHS treatment.   

Helpful links and guidance 

  • Lime Tree Clinic is a free and confidential sexual health service that offers:
    • testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
    • contraception
    • pregnancy
  • You can also access free pregnancy tests via your college J/MCRs, and the Cambridge SU provides a range of free sexual health supplies, including various forms of contraception.
  • Other sources of support include: