Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
24 HOUR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Rd, SW10
T
020 8746 8080; bus #14 or #414
from
!
South Kensington.
Royal Free Hospital
Pond St, NW3
T
020 7794 0500;
!
Hampstead.
Royal London Hospital
Whitechapel Rd, E1
T
020 3416 5000;
!
Whitechapel.
St Mary's Hospital
Praed St, W2
T
020 3312 6330;
!
Paddington.
St Thomas's Hospital
Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1
T
020 7188 7188;
!
London Bridge.
University College London Hospital
235 Euston Rd, NW1
T
020 3456 7890;
!
Euston Square
or Warren Square.
Whittington Hospital
Magdala Ave, N19
T
020 7272 3070;
!
Archway.
South African High Commission
South Africa House,
Trafalgar Square, WC2
T
020 7451 7299,
W
southafricahouseuk
.com;
!
Charing Cross
US Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square, W1
T
020 7499 9000,
W
london.usembassy.gov;
!
Bond Street
Direct, the health service's 24-hour helpline
T
111,
W
nhsdirect.nhs.uk.
For an emergency dentist turn up as early as
possible at the Dental Emergency Care Service at
Guy's Hospital, St Thomas St (
T
020 7188 1234;
Mon-Fri 8am-3.45pm).
Health
Insurance
Even though EU healthcare privileges apply in the
UK, it's as well to take out an insurance policy
before travelling to cover against theft, loss and
illness or injury. Non-EU citizens should check
whether they are already covered before buying a
new policy.
For minor complaints, pharmacists (known as
chemists in England) can dispense a limited range
of drugs without a doctor's prescription. Most
pharmacies are open standard shop hours, though
some stay open later: Zafash, 233-235 Old
Brompton Rd, SW5
T
020 7373 2798,
W
zafash.com
(
!
Earl's Court), is open 24 hours; while Bliss, at 5-6
Marble Arch, W1
T
020 7723 6116,
W
blisslife.co.uk
(
!
Marble Arch), is open daily 9am till midnight.
EU and EEA citizens are entitled to free medical
treatment within the National Health Service, on
production of an EHIC (European Health Insurance
Card). Australia, New Zealand, Russia and several
other non-EU countries also have reciprocal health-
care arrangements with the UK. If it's an emergency,
go to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) depart-
ment of your local hospital, or phone for an
ambulance (
T
999). A&E services are free to all. You
can also go to a Minor Injuries Clinic such as the
one at St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield,
EC1
T
020 3465 5869 (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm;
!
Farringdon), or get free medical advice from NHS
Internet access
Most hotels and hostels in London have internet
access. Otherwise, your best bet is to find a café with
wi-fi like the café in Foyles bookshop at 113-119
Charing Cross Rd (
!
Tottenham Court Road). The
Southbank Centre has free wi-fi and the British
Library and St Pancras Station both have free wi-fi,
too. Some public libraries also offer free access.
Laundry
Most hotels offer a laundry service and most
hostels have washing machines. Self-service
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