Healthcare in Glasgow

Expats will be able to access high-quality healthcare in Glasgow. The UK's healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS), is generally considered a success, and all expats legally resident in the UK are eligible for free or subsidised treatment.

There are two types of hospitals in the UK: public hospitals run by the NHS, and private hospitals run by other entities. In practice, though, there is little difference between the two. Both public and private hospitals have excellent facilities and care, which means few people in Scotland specifically use private facilities. Still, some expats may prefer to use private facilities in order to skip over the public sector's waiting times. If they plan to use private healthcare, expats should invest in a private health insurance policy to cover costs.

To make use of the NHS, expats must make appointments with NHS-approved GPs, a list of which can be found on the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde website. Patients requiring specialist treatment will need to consult with a GP first before being referred to a specialist.

In the case of a medical emergency (where someone is seriously ill or injured) an ambulance should be called on 999. If medical attention or advice is needed in a non-life-threatening instance, NHS 111 should be dialled instead. 

Ambulances called on the national number will take the patient to the nearest NHS hospital. Once the patient has been examined, they may be sent to another hospital specialising in the patient's particular ailment. This may be a public or private hospital, but as long as the initial hospital was an NHS hospital, the NHS will pay for the treatment regardless.

See below for a list of recommended public and private hospitals in Glasgow.

Public hospitals in Glasgow

Nuffield Health Glasgow

Website: www.nuffieldhealth.com
Address: 25 Beaconsfield Road, Glasgow G12 0PJ

BMI Ross Hall Hospital

Website: www.bmihealthcare.co.uk
Address: 221 Crookston Road, Glasgow G52 3NQ