Healthcare
Information on accessing NHS GP practices, non-emergency medical care, prescriptions and additional mental health and wellbeing resources.
- Student Healthcare
- Meningitis and Septicaemia
- Other Useful Health Resources
New students: Don't forget to register with your local GP!
Registration with a GP, healthcare and prescriptions are free and delivered by the NHS in Scotland.
The NHS provides free healthcare to UK residents through public funding. International students who hold a valid student visa can expect to receive treatments from the UK's National Health Service (NHS).
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Students living on campus or in the Musselburgh area (postcodes EH15 or EH21)
If you have registered at Riverside Medical Practice, please note the following information:
- To make an appointment, call 0300 790 6266 from 8.30am for new health concerns only (call from 8am for emergencies only). You can also . For more information, see the practice's .
- To make a same-day appointment, call on 0300 790 6292 Mon-Fri 8.30-10.30am (appointments available all day) for new symptoms, including chest infections, headache, tonsillitis, abdominal pain etc.) No need to call the GP practice directly.
- Call after 10am for all other matters, including booking blood tests, booking nurse appointments (smear tests, asthma checks, diabetes checks etc.) or prescription and admin queries.
- For mental health concerns you can access the which can also be reached on 0300 790 6292
Please note: It can be difficult to get through to the Practice to book a GP appointment due to current pressures on the NHS but please persist.
Riverside Medical Practice is located at:
Musselburgh Primary Care Centre
Inveresk Road
Musselburgh
East Lothian
EH21 7BP
If you have a health concern which you feel needs attention that day but GP appointments are fully booked, you can request an emergency assessment by one of the Practice's triage nurse practitioners, who will assess whether you need an emergency GP appointment.
When registering
- Take along a good supply of any prescribed medications (4-8 weeks+)
- Take an electronic copy of a medical summary listing any diagnoses and repeat medications and/or a photograph of a repeat medications slip. These can both be emailed to the practice after you have registered (you will get a text if you have supplied them with a mobile number).
- Be aware that if you re-register with a home practice when back home for holidays, you will need to re-register with Riverside Medical Practice on your return. The recommendation instead is to register as a temporary resident while at home for the holidays.
Prescriptions
Once you are registered with the Practice you can or order via your local pharmacy. You cannot order prescriptions by calling the Practice.
You can also continue to get your prescriptions from your home practice if you prefer.
Students living outside of Musselburgh
Please check the
For medical emergencies outside of open hours (6pm onwards)
Information on Meningitis and Septicaemia
Meningitis and septicaemia are serious life threatening illnesses, which can often happen together.  While the risk to students and staff is low, individuals should remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms and seek medical attention if they become unwell.
Look out for others.  Is your flatmate feeling ill?  Meningitis / Septicaemia can kill in hours - know the signs so you can rule them out.
Signs and Symptoms
Common signs / symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all.  Do NOT wait for a rash to appear before getting help.
- a high temperature (fever) over 38C (100.4F)
- being sick
- severe headache and feeling unwell
- limb pain
- pale or mottled skin
- cold hands and feet
- neck stiffness
- dislike of bright lights
- irritability or confusion
- extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking
- joint or muscle pain
- breathing fast and fits
- seizures (fits)
- a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it (this won’t always develop)
These symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear.
Phone 111 or your GP practice for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
Phone 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department immediately if you think or someone you know you might be seriously ill.
Protecting against meningococcal disease 
It is worth checking that you are up to date with your vaccines. Since 2015, MenACWY vaccine has been recommended for new students before they start university in the UK. It helps protect against  a²Ô»å infections caused by meningococcal bacteria groups A, C, W and Y.
If you are unsure if you have already received the MenACWY vaccine, please contact your GP practice who can check your records and arrange a referral if required
More information can be found on 
The MenACWY vaccine does not protect against meningococcal group B, and there is no routine MenB programme for young people. Some people carry meningococcal bacteria harmlessly in their nose and throat without becoming unwell, but can spread it to others who may go on to become unwell. The MenB vaccine which is offered to children under 2 years old is not very effective at preventing this transmission. And while the vaccine was developed to offer protection against as many MenB strains as possible, it does not cover all of them.
There are currently no plans to offer MenB vaccination routinely to students in Scotland.
Further Information
Meningitis Research ( ). This charity has a 24-hour free-phone helpline (0808 800 3344) for information and advice.
Meningitis Now - Identifying the Disease - 
Video
Information on Registering with a Doctor (General Practitioner) in Scotland
 
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Sexual Health, Contraception, STI Testing and additional specialist services
If you would like to access our Edinburgh sexual health and advice service which is based in Edinburgh please do visit their webpage where you can self-refer and make a direct appointment for a number of specialist services and support.
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Information on when to call 111 (NHS 24)
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Find an NHS service
- from A&E to dental services and minor injury clinics
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Mental Health and WellbeingÌý
for advice and information regarding mental health and wellbeing
For further resources and information related to mental health and wellbeing please visit our wellbeing service webpage.Ìý