Healthcare
Information on accessing NHS GP practices, non-emergency medical care, prescriptions and additional mental health and wellbeing resources.
- Student Healthcare
- Meningitis and Septicaemia
- Other Useful Health Resources
New students: Don't forget to register with your local GP!
Registration with a GP, healthcare and prescriptions are free and delivered by the NHS in Scotland.
The NHS provides free healthcare to UK residents through public funding. International students who hold a valid student visa can expect to receive treatments from the UK's National Health Service (NHS).
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Students living on campus or in the Musselburgh area (postcodes EH15 or EH21)
If you have registered at Riverside Medical Practice, please note the following information:
- To make an appointment, call 0300 790 6266 from 8.30am for new health concerns only (call from 8am for emergencies only). You can also . For more information, see the practice's .
- To make a same-day appointment, call on 0300 790 6292 Mon-Fri 8.30-10.30am (appointments available all day) for new symptoms, including chest infections, headache, tonsillitis, abdominal pain etc.) No need to call the GP practice directly.
- Call after 10am for all other matters, including booking blood tests, booking nurse appointments (smear tests, asthma checks, diabetes checks etc.) or prescription and admin queries.
- For mental health concerns you can access the which can also be reached on 0300 790 6292
Please note: It can be difficult to get through to the Practice to book a GP appointment due to current pressures on the NHS but please persist.
Riverside Medical Practice is located at:
Musselburgh Primary Care Centre
Inveresk Road
Musselburgh
East Lothian
EH21 7BP
If you have a health concern which you feel needs attention that day but GP appointments are fully booked, you can request an emergency assessment by one of the Practice's triage nurse practitioners, who will assess whether you need an emergency GP appointment.
When registering
- Take along a good supply of any prescribed medications (4-8 weeks+)
- Take an electronic copy of a medical summary listing any diagnoses and repeat medications and/or a photograph of a repeat medications slip. These can both be emailed to the practice after you have registered (you will get a text if you have supplied them with a mobile number).
- Be aware that if you re-register with a home practice when back home for holidays, you will need to re-register with Riverside Medical Practice on your return. The recommendation instead is to register as a temporary resident while at home for the holidays.
Prescriptions
Once you are registered with the Practice you can or order via your local pharmacy. You cannot order prescriptions by calling the Practice.
You can also continue to get your prescriptions from your home practice if you prefer.
Students living outside of Musselburgh
Please check the
For medical emergencies outside of open hours (6pm onwards)
Protect yourself against Meningitis B when you start university
Following recent outbreaks in the UK, a short-term Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination programme is launching in July 2026. As a new student to university it would be important to make sure you are protected from contracting as Meningitis B is life-threatening and spreads rapidly in shared student environments.
All undergraduate university entrants under the age of 25 who are starting study for the first time in the academic year 2026-27, including international students are eligible to get the vaccine.
Get your vaccination as soon as possible
Full protection requires two doses and building immunity takes time. As the whole process takes about 6 weeks from start to finish, it is important to get your doses as early as possible, ideally before the autumn term begins. So if you can please try to get your first dose before you arrive. If you cannot access the vaccine before you start you can do this once you arrive at a local drop-in clinic.
To access the vaccine early before you arrive you can How you get your vaccine depends on where you are living over the summer months you can find out more about accessing the vaccine in , , ,
International undergraduate students traveling to Scotland to study
Ideally, you should try to get the MenB vaccine in your home country before travelling. However, if it is not available or is too expensive, you can get it for free as soon as you arrive in Scotland. Clinic arrangements will be available on the NHS vaccination website.More information on MenB
Have questions or need assistance?
Please call the NHS Lothian Vaccination Enquiries Helpline on 0300 790 6296. The helpline is open Monday – Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday.Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis and Septicaemia
Common signs / symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all.  Do NOT wait for a rash to appear before getting help.
- a high temperature (fever) over 38C (100.4F)
- being sick
- severe headache and feeling unwell
- limb pain
- pale or mottled skin
- cold hands and feet
- neck stiffness
- dislike of bright lights
- irritability or confusion
- extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking
- joint or muscle pain
- breathing fast and fits
- seizures (fits)
- a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it (this won’t always develop)
These symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear.
Phone 111 or your GP practice for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
Phone 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department immediately if you think or someone you know you might be seriously ill.
Information on Registering with a Doctor (General Practitioner) in Scotland
 
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Sexual Health, Contraception, STI Testing and additional specialist services
If you would like to access our Edinburgh sexual health and advice service which is based in Edinburgh please do visit their webpage where you can self-refer and make a direct appointment for a number of specialist services and support.
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Information on when to call 111 (NHS 24)
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Find an NHS service
- from A&E to dental services and minor injury clinics
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Mental Health and WellbeingÌý
for advice and information regarding mental health and wellbeing
For further resources and information related to mental health and wellbeing please visit our wellbeing service webpage.Ìý
