University of Surrey Student Health Hub

If you are living in Guildford during your studies, we recommend registering with us as soon as possible.

Register Online

The quickest and easiest way to join the practice is through our online registration service at: Register with a GP surgery

Registering early means you can access appointments, repeat prescriptions, vaccinations and support quickly if you become unwell.

Who Can Register?

You can register if you are living in university accommodation or locally in Guildford, a UK student or an international student eligible for NHS primary care services

Already Registered with a GP at Home?

Many students remain registered with their family GP. However, registering locally often makes it easier to access healthcare, investigations, mental health support and prescriptions whilst studying in Guildford.

For further information, please see: New patient registrations infomation

You can contact us between Monday to Friday 8 am – 6.30 pm (excluding bank holidays) by:

• Completing our online request form
• Using the NHS App
• Telephoning the practice on 01483 409 309
• Visiting reception in person

Out-of-hours support

When the Health Centre is closed you can get support in the following ways:

Welcome to the UK! Healthcare in the UK may be different from what you are used to, and we are happy to help you understand how NHS services work.

Registering with a GP

Most international students studying in the UK can register with a GP and access NHS primary care services. Please complete our online form at: Register with Guildowns – Online Registration form

What Services Are Free?

GP appointments, hospital and emergency treatment at an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department are free for people who are eligible to use the NHS.

What Services Are Not Free?

You will usually need to pay fixed charges for prescription medicines, routine dental care, and eye tests, unless you qualify for an exemption. GPs cannot assist with eye or dental care.

Specialist Care

Under the NHS system, you cannot usually book appointments directly with hospital consultants or specialists, or request specific tests. Usually you must be evaluated by a GP first. If they determine it is clinically appropriate, they may then refer you to a specialist clinic or hospital. Routine investigations (such as blood tests, X-rays, or scans) are only ordered if there is a clear medical indication, as determined by your doctor.

Bringing Medication from Overseas

If you take regular medication, please bring an adequate supply when you first arrive, register with us as soon as possible and bring copies of clinic letters or medication information where possible. Please be aware that some medicines prescribed overseas may not be available or licensed in the UK and will depend on local guidelines, alternative arrangements may occasionally be required.

Keeping your vaccinations up to date is one of the simplest ways to protect your health while at university. Students living in shared accommodation can be at increased risk of infections such as meningitis and measles, so we encourage all students to ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date.

MenACWY Vaccination

The MenACWY vaccine helps protect against meningococcal disease (groups A, C, W and Y), which can cause meningitis and septicaemia. Students under 25 who missed their MenACWY vaccination at school may still be eligible through the NHS. Meningitis can spread quickly in university settings, making vaccination especially important for students.

MenB Vaccination

Meningococcal group B (MenB) disease is another serious infection that can cause meningitis and septicaemia. The NHS has introduced a student catch-up programme for eligible young people starting university for the first time.

Check your eligibility and book a MenB vaccination here

Check Your Routine Vaccinations

If you are unsure whether your vaccinations are up to date, please contact us. Important vaccinations include:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
• MenACWY
• MenB
• HPV vaccination
• Seasonal flu vaccination (for eligible patients)
• Travel vaccinations where appropriate

If you are an international student, vaccination schedules may differ from those used in the UK. We can help review your vaccination history and recommend any catch-up vaccinations that may be beneficial.

GPs cannot diagnose ADHD or autism directly, but we can discuss your concerns and help you access appropriate assessment pathways. For adults, referrals may be made through local NHS services or national NHS Right to Choose providers where appropriate

Students should be aware that if medication is recommended following a specialist assessment, prescribing normally remains the responsibility of the specialist service. Under our Shared Care Prescribing Policy, the practice does not routinely accept new shared care arrangements except in limited commissioned circumstances.

Please see:

Guildowns ADHD and Autism Support

Shared Care Prescribing « Guildowns Group Practice

for further information.

We are committed to providing inclusive, respectful and confidential healthcare for LGBTQIA+ patients, including transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people and we aim to ensure every patient feels welcome, respected and supported when accessing healthcare.

Updating Your Details

You can ask us to update your ‘preferred’ name, title (including Mx), contact preferences or information that helps us communicate with you respectfully at anytime. You do not need a Gender Recognition Certificate to request these changes to your NHS records.

However if you would like to formally amend the name or gender on your NHS records, we have trained staff who are able to support you with this process, please contact our Patient Services Team via our online admin request form at Patient Portal | Admin requests for assistance or further information.

Gender Identity Services and Referrals

If you would like to access NHS gender identity services, one of our clinicians can discuss referral to an NHS Gender Identity Clinic. GPs can refer directly to Gender Identity Clinics and a separate mental health assessment is not usually required before referral. Patients (including students moving to the area) should be aware that if medication is recommended following a specialist assessment, prescribing normally remains the responsibility of the specialist service and this practice does not accept shared care agreements for gender-affirming hormones. Please see Shared Care Prescribing « Guildowns Group Practice for further information on this.

Screening and Preventative Healthcare

Some NHS screening programmes are linked to the gender marker held on your NHS record. This means automated invitations may not always reflect your anatomy or healthcare needs. If you are unsure whether you should receive cervical screening, breast screening, prostate-related assessment or other routine health checks, please speak to a clinician. We can ensure you receive appropriate screening advice based on your individual circumstances.

Local and National Support

Useful resources include:

• Healthy Surrey LGBTQ+ Support
• Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
• MindOut
• Galop

You can apply for an extenuating circumstance letter during the course of your studies when you feel a medical condition has affected the ability to participate in a programme, attend an exam or submit an assignment by the deadline.

Please read the University’s guidance at: Extenuating circumstances | MySurrey student website | University of Surrey to ensure you have grounds to apply and note you are also required to apply to your university department for extenuating circumstances.

You should also have sought help at the time of the illness for us to be able to provide a letter to confirm your medical problem affected your exam or deadline.

Please complete the below form if you would like us to provide medical evidence to support an Extenuating Circumstances application.

This is a non-NHS service and therefore a £30 fee is applicable and you will need to pay the required fee prior to the letter being collected.

Once completed, our team will contact you to collect the card payment.

Please be aware we are unable to process your application without payment and we have up to 5 working days to complete the letter.