Health and Services

What is a 'GP' or 'General Practitioner'?

• AA nurse in a hospital
• BA local doctor you register with✓
• CA surgeon
• DA dentist

Answer: A GP (General Practitioner) is a doctor in your local surgery (doctor's office). In the UK, you must register with a GP. Go there when you are ill.

What should you do if you feel ill and want to see a doctor?

• AGo to the hospital
• BCall your GP surgery and make an appointment✓
• CWait and hope you get better
• DAsk a friend

Answer: Call your GP surgery and make an appointment. Say: 'I'd like to make an appointment with the doctor, please.' Tell them when you are available.

What is the NHS?

• AA hospital in London
• BA type of health insurance
• CThe National Health Service - free healthcare in the UK✓
• DA medicine shop

Answer: The NHS (National Health Service) is the free healthcare system in the UK. You can see a doctor, go to hospital, and get medicines free or cheap.

What should you do in a medical emergency (like a serious accident)?

• AGo to your GP
• BCall 999 and ask for an ambulance✓
• CWait and see if it gets better
• DGo to the pharmacist

Answer: Call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance. Say: 'I need an ambulance at [address].' Tell them what is wrong. An ambulance will come quickly.

What is an 'accident and emergency' or 'A&E' department?

• AA shop for first aid items
• BThe part of a hospital for urgent/emergency cases✓
• CA place for car accidents only
• DA theatre in a hospital

Answer: A&E (Accident and Emergency) or Casualty is in a hospital. Go there for emergencies like broken bones, serious injuries, or chest pain. You may wait a long time.

What is a 'pharmacist'?

• AA hospital doctor
• BA person trained in pharmacy who gives medicines and advice✓
• CA person who sells shop items
• DA nurse

Answer: A pharmacist works in a pharmacy (chemist). They give you medicines and advice. You can ask them health questions before you see a doctor.

What is a 'prescription'?

• AA piece of paper you write notes on
• BA detailed list of medicines a doctor gives you✓
• CInstructions for taking medicine
• DA form you fill in

Answer: A prescription is a piece of paper the doctor gives you. It tells the pharmacist what medicine to give you. You take it to the pharmacy (chemist).

What is a 'prescription charge' in the UK?

• AMoney you pay to the doctor
• BMoney you pay to the hospital
• CA small fixed amount you pay for each prescription (medicine)✓
• DExtra money for delivery

Answer: In the UK, you pay a small fixed charge (£12.65 in 2024) for most medicines on prescription. Some people (children, students, elderly) are free. It is much cheaper than the real price.

What does 'OVER THE COUNTER' mean for medicines?

• AMedicine from a hospital
• BMedicine you can buy without a prescription from a pharmacist or shop✓
• CMedicine that is stolen
• DFree medicine

Answer: OVER THE COUNTER medicines are medicines you can buy without a prescription. You can get them from a pharmacist or a supermarket. For example: paracetamol, cough syrup.

What is a 'dentist'?

• AA doctor for your eyes
• BA doctor for your teeth✓
• CA doctor for your ears
• DA doctor for your skin

Answer: A dentist is a doctor for your teeth. You should visit a dentist every 6 months for a check-up. They clean your teeth and fix problems.

What is an 'optician' or 'eye doctor'?

• AA doctor for teeth
• BA doctor for your eyes and vision✓
• CA doctor for your ears
• DA doctor for your skin

Answer: An optician (or eye doctor) tests your eyes and gives you glasses or contact lenses if you need them. They can also check for eye diseases.

What should you do if you have a health emergency on a Sunday?

• AWait until Monday to see your GP
• BCall your GP surgery
• CCall NHS 111 or go to A&E if very serious✓
• DDo nothing

Answer: If it is urgent but not serious, call NHS 111 (free). They can advise you and help. If it is very serious, call 999. Your GP surgery is closed on Sunday.