Health Services

It is important that you register with a local doctor (also known as a GP) when you arrive in Liverpool. Registering as soon as you arrive will help to ensure that your GP can process your registration in good time, allowing you to access healthcare services early on if needed.

Registering with a GP is essential for students who may require prescriptions, referrals, sick notes and general health care during their time in the city. The GP, or in some cases, the pharmacist can provide medical care for illnesses that you can’t treat yourself. Remember to save your GPs number in your phone!

Healthwatch is a great resource and can help you find your nearest GP. Call them on 0300 77 77 007 or visit their website where you can find information specifically for students.

The majority of LIPA students moving to Liverpool register at Brownlow Health Central. It is a large GP practice with 3 sites in the city centre where many students go to and it also offers an eConsult Service.

You can still see your home GP during the holidays if you need to.

You can visit a Walk-in Centre for minor health issues or injuries.

Walk-in Centres are run by a team of highly skilled multi-disciplinary staff, who can provide consultations, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses in both children and adults.

These include:

• Infections and rashes (N.B. if measles is suspected, you are advised to stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice)
• Coughs and flu-like symptoms
• Earache and sore throats
• Cuts and bruises
• Minor burns and strains
• Emergency contraception and advice
• Insect and animal bites
• Stomach aches and upsets
• Urine infections
• Minor new eye problems.

The closest Walk-In Centre to LIPA is the Liverpool City Centre Walk-in:

Linda McCartney Centre, Ground Floor, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Prescot Street, Liverpool, L7 8XP. Phone: 0151 247 6500. Click here for travel information and to see a map

Liverpool City Centre Walk-in is open 8am to 8pm seven days per week.

You can walk in without an appointment, but should you wish to make one you can do so via 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.  

More information can be found on the Merseycare website.

NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now but you're not sure what to do.

You can check your symptoms on 111 online, or call 111 to speak to someone if you need advice.

A&E (accident and emergency) is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies only. It is also known as the emergency department or casualty.

The nearest Accident and Emergency Department to LIPA is:

Ground floor, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L7 8XP. Click here for travel information and to see a map.

If you think you need support for a serious or life-threatening emergency, do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

If you need to go to A&E, you can call 111 to see if they can book an arrival time so they know you are coming. An arrival time is not an appointment but helps to avoid overcrowding.

If you need help in another language when you arrive at A&E, including British Sign Language (BSL), ask for an interpreter.

You can find out further information about when to go to A&E on the NHS Website

Remember, in an emergency, always call 999.

Pharmacists can give you advice on a range of conditions and suggest medicines that can help.

They may also be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicines for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First). Conditions they can treat as part of Pharmacy First are:

• Earache in under 18s
• Impetigo
• Infected insect bites shingles
• Sinusitis
• Sore throat
• Urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)

If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or other healthcare professional if needed. They will then update your GP health record.

Pharmacists can also give advice on your medicines. This includes how to use your medicine, worries about side effects or any other questions you have.

Some pharmacies offer the emergency contraceptive pill for free. If you’re aged 16 or over, you can also buy it from most pharmacies. Click here to find out more about emergency contraception

The nearest Pharmacy to LIPA is:

Euro Chemist, 16/20 Berry Street, Liverpool, L1 4JF. Phone: 01517080778 (9am – 6pm)

Click here to find out further information about pharmacies

Click here to find a pharmacist

Dentists are health practitioners who help you look after your teeth and provide treatment with problems such as toothache. The NHS will provide any clinically necessary treatment needed to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and free of pain.

Click here to find a local NHS Dentist.

Unfortunately, accessing dental care and treatment via NHS services can be difficult due to restricted NHS funding and a lack of practicing dentists. You can call local NHS dentists to see if they are accepting new NHS patients and join a waiting list if necessary.

Many UK students choose to remain registered with an NHS dentist at home. If you’re not sure if you are registered, you could check this by asking a parent or carer.

NHS dentists tend to de-register patients automatically if there has been no contact for 2 years. To avoid being de-registered, you should attend regular check-ups and try not to miss appointments where possible.

You may want to consider private dental care if you are struggling to register with an NHS dentist. You can use the NHS search to find private dentists in your area. Many NHS dentists offer private treatment. You may want to compare practices to see how much they charge for treatment.

You do not have to pay for NHS dental services if you're:

• under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
• pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
• being treated in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist (but you may have to pay for any dentures or bridges)
• receiving low income benefits, or you're under 20 and a dependant of someone receiving low income benefits

If you don’t qualify for free treatment, you will be expected to pay a contribution towards the cost of NHS dental treatment. A basic dental check-up is £26.80. You can find more information about dental treatment costs by clicking here.

It’s important that you look after your sexual health and that you know about the resources and services available to help you keep safe and healthy. For many students, university will be your first time away from home. This brings all sorts of new opportunities and experiences. It also brings new responsibilities. It is important to think about your own sexual health and wellbeing, as well as each other's.

Axess sexual health is the free NHS contraception and sexual health service for Liverpool.

Axess Sexual health service offers:

• Emergency contraception
• Contraception
• STI Testing
• Coil fittings
• Implant fittings
• Vaccines
• Pregnancy testing

Some of Axess locations offer a walk-in service, meaning you don't need an appointment to be seen. They have also expanded walk-in hours at selected locations for urgent care.

The closest Axess sexual health clinic to LIPA is:

Axess Sexual Health Liverpool, The Beat, Liverpool City Centre, 6 David Lewis Street, Liverpool, L1 4AP, Phone: 0300 323 1300

To book an appointment at your nearest Axess clinic, visit their website here.

Please note, if you are aged 19 and younger, you can use  Axess 4 u sexual health service. You do not require an appointment to visit Axess 4 u.

From September 2024, the LIPA Student Wellbeing and Disability Service will be working in partnership with Axess sexual health to offer STI testing on campus to all students. Please do not be embarrassed, this service is confidential and non-judgemental. If you would like further information on this service, please email wellbeing.disability@lipa.ac.uk

If you are concerned about your use of drugs or alcohol, please make an appointment to see a member of the Student Wellbeing and Disability Service for support and guidance.

You can also get information, help and support from the following organisations:

• Liverpool Community Alcohol Services (LCAS) - LCAS offers a non-medical, psychosocial intervention for those who experience problem drinking. They can also support with referrals to other services. Contact LCAS on 0151 471 7784.
• We Are With You (Liverpool) - call 0151 706 7888 or visit the website for information or an online chat about drug or alcohol use (or to find services in other parts of the UK).
• Frank - call the helpline (24/7) on 0300 123 6600 or visit the website for online chat, details of their text and email service, and for more information on drugs