In the UK you have several options: If you are not sure and need some advice, you can ring 111 - they may direct you to A&E. If it is an emergency you ring 99

In the UK you have several options: If you are not sure and need some advice, you can ring 111 - they may direct you to A&E. If it is an emergency you ring 999 (which coves all emergency services. You can present yourself to the nearest A&E (Accident and Emergency) if you are able to get there on your own. GP visits do generally require an appointment and you may need to wait for some days. Prescriptions: Flat fee of less than £10 per prescription. There are many medical and means tested exemptions. NHS Dental Care can be hard to find but is generally available with a three tier flat fee structure for a full treatment not per visit, again loads of exemptions. Eg ~£56 for an extraction or root canal. Some anecdotes: A few years ago I had a wisdom tooth problem that hit on the weekend which is out of hours for dentists. I rang 111 and was referred across county (40 min drive). The tooth was extracted within 20 mins of me arriving. I don't remember whether I even had to pay but if I did then it would have been £50. If I'd been on benefits - no charge. A few weeks ago I fell in my garden and hurt some ribs. It bloody hurt. To be on the safe side I went to A&E. 20 mins later I was triaged to the front of the queue and X rayed etc. Three hours later (I was obviously non crit) I was seen by a doctor and then discharged. About eight years ago (very long story short) my dad was flown by helicopter from Exeter RD&E Hospital after a couple of weeks of stay to the Royal Brompton in London because the best cardiac surgeon for what he needed was based there. After a couple of months of care, surgery and recovery, his ticker is still going. Cost of care? who knows? A lot in six figures. It cost me a fortune in bus fares visiting the old boy. I have many more but that gives you some idea. We habitually whinge about the NHS (OK: everything) here in the UK about waiting times but when the shit hits the fan - it is always there to pick you up and stick you back together.