Hospitals
If you are not an English speaker or would rather use your native language when it comes to health issues, you can ask for an interpreter which will be provided by the NHS. Notify the hospital and staff will put a request in for you.
University College London Hospitals: http://www.uclh.nhs.uk; 0845 1555 000.
UCLH is a comprehensive hospital that is centrally located near Warren Street. The buildings are dispersed around this area. Departments include the Heart Hospital, Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, and The Eastman Dental Hospital.
St. Thomas’ Hospital: http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk
St. Thomas is located at Westminster Bridge Road; SE1 7EH; +44 (0) 207 188 7188. It is a major NHS hospital. Emergency services are, of course, present as well as specialist consultants.
Royal Free: http://www.royalfree.nhs.uk
This is a giant hospital in North London, located at Pond Street; NW3 2QG; +44 (0) 207 794 0500. The famous Ian Charleson Center for HIV is located here and HIV tests give same-day results. The Royal Free is a comprehensive hospital.
Whittington: http://www.whittington.nhs.uk
Whittington Hospital NHS Trust is located at Magdala Avenue; N19 5NF. All services are available at this hospital.
General Practitioners
Please see the “Health coverage” section for information on how the national health system works as you will have to choose a doctor in your catchment area. If you would like to see a Specialist, you will need to consult your GP first who will refer you.
if you are a French speaker and wish to talk to a French health worker, including doctors, contact Le dispensaire francais: http://www.dispensairefrancais.org.uk
Dental Care
Dental care is available on the NHS but there are many restrictions for residents and even more for expats. This link details restrictions and potential access to NHS dentistry: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1786.aspx. Dental care is ubiquitous in the capital so if you are willing to pay, thousands of good dentists will be at your service. Finding the right dentist or a dentist you are most comfortable with, however, is often a case of word-of-mouth footwork.
Here are a few dentists recommended by locals:
Druian & Spektor
This practice specializes in cosmetic dentistry.
93 Haverstock Hill
London NW3 4RL
Tel: +44 (0) 207 722 1235
Dr. David Saitowitz
General dentistry in a friendly, calm and state-of-the-art environment make this practice special.
61 Kilburn High Street
London NW6 5SB
+44 (0) 207 624 6383
Dr. R. Jack-Kee
General dentistry in West London.
195 North End Road
London W14 9NL
+44 (0) 207 381 1922
Optical Care
Opticians are located around the capital. Every neighborhood will have either a big chain optician or a one-off shop for all your vision needs. Contact lenses are available by prescription only. Here are a few opticians:
Vision Express: http://www.visionexpress.com
This big chain offers hundreds of styles of glasses and a contact lens center with trained opticians to give you the best care possible. The staff will help you choose the perfect frame or brand of contacts. Find your local store to book an appointment. Prices are moderate.
Specsavers: http://www.specsavers.co.uk
Specsavers has the best deals on glasses and contact lenses in the capital. Stores are everywhere and the site can help direct you to your closest branch. Good deals include frames starting at £25 and 2 for 1 specials. After having your prescription filled at Specsavers you an order your contacts online. Find your local store to book an appointment. Prices are affordable.
David Clulow: http://www.davidclulow.com
This chain offers very trendy frames but beware of the salespeople. They seem to be paid on commission and will try to persuade you to buy just about anything. Prices are moderate.
Icon: http://icontheopticians.co.uk; 57 South End Road; NW3 2QB; +44 (0) 207 435 5888
If you are looking for unique designs and frames created by designers who don’t showcase just anywhere, Icon is the place to go. Oliver Goldsmith, Freudenhaus, and Robert Marc are a few of the exceptional designers who sell their works here. Icon will test your eyes and can also provide contact lenses. Prices are high.
