Doctors
Often referred to as general practitioners (GP) in the U.K., doctors provide the same services as a family doctor would in the United States. These include examinations, treatments, medical advice and vaccinations. If you plan on living in the U.K., it is advised that you register with your local GP as soon as possible. Under the regulations of the NHS, you will receive free healthcare only after doing so. The World Health Organization (2010) reported that the U.K. has 2.74 doctors per 1,000 people, slightly higher than the U.S. rate of 2.42 per 1,000.
Doctors in the U.K. are well-trained and disciplined. Those who pursue a medical degree start at A-level education, where they must maintain excellent grades in the field of science. In their second year they apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), choosing which of the 32 medical schools in the U.K. they wish to attend. Students will also have to take the U.K. Clinical Aptitude Test (U.K.CAT) if they want admission into some of the most prestigious medical schools. Finally, after admission, students go through a medical school similar to those in the Unites States, lasting four or more years. After completing medical school and receiving their medical degree, graduates then complete their medical specialty training, the U.K. equivalent of medical residency in the U.S. Specialty training can last well over five years, depending on the specialty.
Dentists
There is no need to register with a dentist before receiving services, simply make an appointment with one that is most convenient for you. Dentistry is one of the few healthcare services that the NHS will not completely cover. Depending on the procedure that you need, you will be asked to pay for the cost once, even if the procedure might take more than one session. Visit the NHS Dental services page for more information. You also can expect the dentists in the U.K. to be just as knowledgeable and skillful as those in the United States. Prospective dentists begin their rigorous training in the A-levels, which require A-grades in chemistry and biology for admission to a five-year dental program. Dental schools also require students to take the U.K.CAT in order to determine admissions eligibility.
Emergency Medical Care
The emergency number in the U.K. is 999. For non-immediate emergencies, dial 0845 4647 for NHS Direct. All emergency treatments provided by doctors or hospitals are free of charge for everyone.
Personal Safety
In general, the United Kingdom is known for being a safe country. The U.K. ranked twentieth globally in the Legatum Institute’s Safety and Security Sub-Index (2012) out of 142 countries studied. Nearly 72 percent of the population feels safe walking at night, according to Legatum. United Kingdom residents claim to feel safe from violent activities with 71 percent of them feeling confident in walking alone at night, according to survey results from the Gallup World Poll (2010). The survey also found that only 2 percent of the population was assaulted in 2010, one of the lowest rates globally. The homicide rate in the U.K. is 1.2 per 100,000 people, much lower than the U.S. rate of 4.3. Yet despite high safety ratings, populous areas have been experiencing an increase in crime, according to Metropolitan Police statistics. Some London boroughs have seen the rate of serious crimes like assault, robbery, burglary, gun-enabled crimes and rape rise. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs advises U.S. citizens to be wary in major metropolitan areas, especially at night in isolated area.
In addition to the urban area crime rates, recent acts of terrorism in Northern Ireland have prompted the U.K. Security Service to raise the national threat level to “substantial,” indicating that terrorist attacks are a “strong possibility.” Again, the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs advises that those who visit Northern Ireland be wary of any suspicious activities, especially during crowded events.
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