Join the surgery

To register permanently, you’ll need to complete a registration form:

• Download a registration form, complete it, and then email it to the GP practice

You will also need to complete a medical history questionnaire.   Please visit the sections above for Heriot-Watt University Student or Non-Student in order to complete the relevant questionnaire for you.

When you register with us, it’s recommended that you provide information to confirm your:

• identity
• address

This means you can be matched to your existing NHS records. You shouldn’t be delayed or refused registration at a GP practice if you can’t provide identification or proof of address.

Anybody in Scotland can access primary care services at a GP practice without charge.

Protect yourself against MenB this summer

Following recent outbreaks in the UK, a short-term Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination programme is launching in July 2026.

Meningitis B is life-threatening and spreads rapidly in shared student environments.  The MenB vaccine helps to prevent cases of meningitis and sepsis caused by most strains of the Meningococcal B bacteria.

 Check your eligibility:

You only need to meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for the free vaccine:

·         Young people (By nation)

·         Scotland: Born between 01 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, or in S6 during the 2025-2026 academic year (regardless of your future plans)

·         England & Wales: In school year 13 (born between 01 September 2007 and 31 August 2008)

·         Northern Ireland: In school year 14 (born between 02 July 2007 and 01 July 2008)

·         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

·         College entrants aged under 25 starting study for the first time in the academic year 2026-27 while living away from home in shared student accommodation, including international students

Why it is important to act over summer:

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.

How to access the vaccine this summer:

How you get your vaccine depends on where you are living over the summer months:

Spending the summer in the NHS Lothian area?

Visit nhslothian.scot/vaccinations/meningococcal-b-menb for information about where and when you can get your vaccine. 

Spending the summer elsewhere in Scotland?

Visit nhsinform.scot/menb-youngpeople and follow the links to the vaccination website for your Health Board for information about localised clinic set ups.

Spending the summer elsewhere in the UK?

If you are spending the summer in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, check the relevant NHS website for your home area to get vaccinated before you travel to Scotland.

See MenB vaccination information for England, Wales, Northern Ireland

Advice for international 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 our vaccination website nhslothian.scot/vaccinations/meningococcal-b-menb

In the UK, you don’t go to the hospital for minor illnesses, you go to a GP (General Practitioner).  You should register with a doctor’s surgery the week you arrive – do not wait until you are sick.

Further information can be found at: Healthcare for overseas visitors | NHS inform

More information on MenB

For more information on the MenB vaccination programme for young people including symptoms of MenB, please visit NHS Inform.

Have questions or need assistance?

Please call the NHS Lothian Vaccination Enquiries Helpline on0300 790 6296.  The helpline is open Monday – Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday.

You can only register with a GP practice if you’re staying in the area for more than 3 months. If you’re not, you may still be treated but as a Temporary Resident.

You can also use the Access to Healthcare. This is a GP registration card to help you register with a GP Practice. The card gives information on your rights to accessing healthcare. You can find the card on the Health Literacy Place website.

For more information on being treated as a Temporary Resident please contact your nearest GP practice.

These fact sheets have been written to explain the role of UK health services, the National Health Service (NHS), to newly-arrived individuals seeking asylum. They cover issues such as the role of GPs, their function as gatekeepers to the health services, how to register and how to access emergency services.

Special care has been taken to ensure that information is given in clear language, and the content and style has been tested with user groups.

Open the leaflets in one of the following languages: