Finding low-cost care: United Kingdom.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · Canada · Australia.

Moraph for Good · Reach

Finding low-cost care: United Kingdom

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/finding-low-cost-care

This sheet lists the kinds of low-cost care that exist, how to ask about price, and the official places to look where you live. It is general information, not medical advice.

Where to look

Community health centers and free clinics.
Clinics with sliding-scale or reduced fees.
Pharmacists and free health advice lines.
Public programs for people on low incomes.

Ask on the phone

Are you seeing new patients?
What does a visit cost, and is there a reduced fee?
What should I bring?
Can I have an interpreter?

Bring with you

Any ID or health card you have.
Proof of income, if they use a sliding scale.
A list of the medicines you take.

If it can’t wait

If it might be an emergency, call the emergency number first.
If you’re not sure where to go, call the free advice line below.

In the United Kingdom

Register with a GP. Everyone in England can register with a GP surgery for free, online, in person or on a paper form. You only need to give basic details; you don’t need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status.
NHS 111. If you need medical help now and can’t reach your GP, NHS 111 online or by phone can tell you where to go, such as an out-of-hours GP, a pharmacist or urgent dental help. In an emergency, call 999 or go to A&E.
Free to everyone. GP and nurse consultations, and A&E, walk-in centres, minor injuries units and urgent care centres, are free of charge to everyone in England, including overseas visitors.
Help with prescriptions and other costs. Some people get free NHS prescriptions, such as people under 16 or aged 60 or over, or on certain benefits. If you pay for many prescriptions, a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) covers all of them for a set price.
NHS Low Income Scheme. If you have a low income and limited savings, you can apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme for full help (an HC2 certificate) or partial help (an HC3 certificate) with health costs.

Official places to check:

NHS (England): www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery
NHS (England): www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (GOV.UK): www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guide
NHS Business Services Authority: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions
NHS (England): www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/save-money-with-a-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc
NHS (England): www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 19 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/finding-low-cost-care