UAS Children’s General Health
Information for Young People
What is the NHS?
The UK provides a free healthcare service called the National Healthcare Service (NHS). As an unaccompanied asylum seeking child or young person, you are entitled to most NHS services free of charge.
Emergency Numbers
If you need medical advice and cannot see a doctor, or do not know if you should go to the hospital, you can call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk. In an emergency, you can call the emergency number for police, fire, or an ambulance. The UK emergency number is 999.
For incidents not classed as an emergency but you still need help fast, you can contact the Local Police by calling 101.
Sexual Health
Sexual intercourse is the physical activity of sex between two people, sexuality and sexual experiences are a part of everyone’s life. In the UK it is okay to have a different sexuality and the Solace Project can offer guidance and support with LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and refugees.
Let’s Talk About It and Young and Free explain what sexual health services are, the services that are provided, and how to access sexual health services. There are also question and answers that can be used when educating young people on topics about sexual health and consent. The resources also discuss contraception and sexually transmitted diseases.
Resources for Professionals
There are lots of online resources on health available for professionals and those supporting children and young people.
Doctors of the World Resources
Doctors of the World offers a range of online tools and guidance for healthcare professionals. These resources include information about migrants’ rights to healthcare and official guidance for NHS staff.
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health offers information to support paediatricians in the assessment and management of children and young people of refugee background, including links to key external information and resources.
NHS Entitlements: Migrant Health Guide
The government’s NHS entitlements: migrant health guide explains migrants’ NHS entitlements, providing an in-depth look at the services in the NHS. This provides migrants an overview of the NHS and how the healthcare system generally works. It also includes information on Brexit and COVID-19.
UASC Health
UASC Health offers a range of resources developed by paediatricians and designated professionals to support with assessing and addressing the health needs of unaccompanied children and young people. These resources include key questions to consider, external links, and key supporting documents.
