As a foreigner living in Bath, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?

"Yes, as a foreigner living in Bath, you will have access to public healthcare, provided you are a legal resident or have a visa that allows you to stay in the UK for more than six months. The public healthcare system in the UK is known as the National Health Service (NHS). It provides a wide range of health services, including appointments with general practitioners, hospital treatment, and emergency care. The NHS is funded through general taxation, and most services are free at the point of use for residents. However, there may be charges for some aspects of care, such as prescriptions, dental treatment, and eye tests. The quality of NHS services can vary, but it is generally considered to be good. Waiting times for non-emergency treatments can sometimes be long, and the system can be bureaucratic. However, the NHS is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare that is accessible to all, regardless of wealth or circumstances. In terms of accessing healthcare in Bath specifically, the city has several NHS GP surgeries, a large NHS hospital (the Royal United Hospital), and a number of pharmacies. There are also private healthcare providers in the city if you choose to go that route. It's important to register with a GP as soon as you can after arriving in the UK. You can do this by contacting a local surgery and filling out some forms. Once registered, you can make appointments to see the GP if you're feeling unwell. They can also refer you to specialist services if necessary. In an emergency, you can go to the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department at the hospital, or call 999 for an ambulance. For less urgent health problems, you can call the NHS 111 service for advice. Overall, the UK's public healthcare system is designed to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need, regardless of their ability to pay. As a foreigner living in Bath, you should be able to access these services, although you may need to pay for certain things like prescriptions and dental care," explained one expat living in Bath, England.