When you aren’t feeling well while your’re studying at UIC, you should know that in the UK there are different types of medical care for you to choose from. You can always register with a GP surgery (General Practitioner = doctor) close to where you live but very often you need to arrange an appointment before going there.

If you don’t plan to stay in the UK for a long time, the following medical services might be a better option for you. You can go there without having booked an appointment and they try to help you instantly.

NHS Walk-in Centre – to receive quick care from nurses
If you decide to go to a NHS Walk-in Centre, you don’t need an appointment and you can go anytime within the opening hours. Also it is not necessary for you to be registered with a local GP. If you are not an UK resident, there may be a charge before you are seen. European visitors must bring EHIC card or alternative otherwise they will be charged.

Be aware that you cannot discuss your health problems with a doctor! Instead you will be able to speak to nurse practitioners who can provide treatment and care of your health problem. They can also give you advice on a range of minor illnesses, such as:

* stomach ache and indigestions (constipation, vomiting, diarrhoea),
* cold and coughs symptoms (headaches, ear problems, sore throat)
* minor cuts and wounds, skin complaints (rashes, sunburn, head lice)
* minor burns and scalds, muscle and joint injuries (sprains and strains)
* minor head injuries, chest problems and abdominal pain, insect and animal bites, hay fever, minor eye injuries, injuries to the back and shoulder or emergency contraception

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 08.00 – 20.00
Saturday, Sunday & Bank holidays 10.00 – 20.00

Closest location to school (UIC):
Soho Centre for Health & Care
1 Frith Street (off Soho Square)
London W1D 3HZ
Tel: 020 7534 6500

Nearest Underground Station:
Tottenham Court Road

Medicentre in Central London – to get medical advice from a doctor
All Medicentres offer a “Walk-In” service which means that you can go there anytime within the opening hours without having made an appointment. They try to keep the waiting time to a minimum; however you should always bring some spare time.

You can go to a General Medical Medicentre when you feel that there is something wrong with your body and you need a checkup from a GP or a nurse. They are equipped to help you with most conditions. In case there is a serious need for you to see a more specialised doctor, they give you appropriate advice and make referrals of where else to go.

A Medicentre also offers a wide range of non-emergency services, such as a blood or allergy test, a hepatitis vaccine when you want to travel to other countries, physiotherapy or acupuncture etc.

There are 10 Medicentres located in Central London. Please find more locations here: http://www.medicentre.co.uk/Medicentre_clinic_details.html

Opening times:
All Medicentres are open from 8.00 until 18.00 during the week; the Medicentres at Victoria Station and Paddington Station are also open at weekends.

Closest location to school (UIC):
120 Oxford Street
Marylebone
London W1D 1LT
Tel: 020 7637 7883

Nearest Underground Station: Oxford Circus

And never forget:
When you go to any of these medical services on a day that you are supposed to be at school, please ask the GP or nurse for a doctor’s note confirming your visit and illness, so you won’t be marked as absent for that day from the Student Services Officer at UIC Reception.

It’s time to go out and enjoy sunshine in the UK! There are so many beautiful parks which you must go and see in London. Here is a list of the best parks in London so pack your lunch and drinks and have a good time this weekend in the sunshine!

1. Hyde Park
W2 2UH
Tube: Knightsbridge, Marble Arch or Hyde Park Corner

Huge and centrally located, Hyde Park is one of London’s best-loved parks with more than 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow and rose gardens. Take a relaxing stroll or move faster by cycling on one of the designated paths. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain is also located in the park.

2. Primrose Hill
NW3 3NA
Tube: Chalk Farm

Primrose Hill has become increasingly popular and is a great place to stroll through and take in the scenery, including a great view of London on a clear day. Having climbed the steep slopes and admired the panorama you can regain your strength in one of the many nice cafes, restaurants or pubs nearby. One of the most pleasant ways to approach the park is to get off at Camden Town and walk along the canal.

3. Regent’s Park
NW1 4NR
Tube: Regent’s Park

The Regent’s Park was designed in 1811 by renowned architect John Nash. It includes stunning rose gardens (the rose garden is London’s largest collection of roses with approximately 12,000 roses). Regent’s park offers a range of activities and has the largest outdoor sports area in London, with facilities for football, softball, rugby and cricket. There is a boathouse which has rowing boats and pedalos for hire and there is also the Open Air Theatre and nearby is London Zoo.

4. Greenwich Park
London SE10 8QY
Rail: Greenwich

Greenwich Park is the oldest of the Royal Parks and offers spectacular views over the river Thames It’s the perfect place to take a break between visiting Greenwich’s other attractions, such as the Cutty Sark and Greenwich market.

5. Richmond Park
Richmond Station by Rail or District Line (and then catch the 371 or 65 buses to the pedestrian gate at Petersham)

Richmond Park is the largest park in London. The park has a varied landscape of hills, woodland gardens, and is famous for its red and fallow deer which live in the park, along with lots of other wildlife. Richmond Park has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific interest and is a National Nature Reserve.

Studying in a city like London can be very adventurous itself. For those of you who like travelling to explore other countries in Europe or worldwide, getting to and from airports can be sometimes a hassle and very time consuming – if not well organised.

An easy and inexpensive way of getting to and from a London airport can be using an airport coach service.

It is simple, because you can pre-book everything online. After having paid, you will immediately receive a ticket confirmation sent to your email address. Simply print out your ticket and on the day of departure go to the pick-up location/bus stop that you have chosen to be collected by coach. And then…take a seat and wait until you arrive at your airport destination! It couldn’t be easier because you don’t have to change tubes or worry about getting lost somewhere on the way to the airport.

The following two airport coach providers are very popular and often used by Londoners and International students:

Easybus
This London low cost airport transfer service offers a frequent and direct 24 hour service to and from London to Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport and Luton Airport. If you book early online, you can purchase one-way tickets starting already from £2.

This service is not only available for people flying with Easyjet or other airlines that day.  You can also book an Easybus coach ride, if you aren’t flying at all but want to collect your family and friends from the airport.

Cost: from £2
Book online here:  www.easybus.co.uk

National Express
Besides 1,000 destinations throughout the UK, this coach service serves also the major UK airports, i.e. Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Luton Airport and Stansted Airport. This coach service offers a wide range of pick-up locations – not only in central London but also perhaps close to where you live. Please check the pick up locations online.

Cost: from £8.50
Book online here: www.nationalexpress.com/coach/airport

If you don’t like coach drives at all, please ask in UIC Reception for an Individual Airport Transfer. We can arrange for you to be collected at your student residence or homestay 4 hours before your flight takes off .

Have a good journey!