On arrival, you should ask for help from your sponsor, or a Council Support Worker, to find a local doctor's surgery who can provide for your day-to-day health care needs.
It is important that you register all members of your family with the doctor's surgery as soon as you can.
Doctor's surgeries are open between the hours of 8am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday (but not on public holidays or weekends).
When you have registered you will be able to get health advice from:
- Doctors,
- Specialist nurses,
- Midwives, and
- Health visitors.
Mental health support
The C.A.L.L Mental Health Helpline for Wales provides support and information to anyone with mental distress.
If you are worried, frightened or concerned by your feelings, thoughts or symptoms – then ring or text 0800 132 737.
C.A.L.L. uses the interpretation service Language Line to support callers who cannot(or prefer not to) speak English or Welsh.
View more information on the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board website.External link opens in a new window
Getting medication
Access to dentists
If you have any problem with your teeth, you should ask for help from your sponsor, or a Council Support Worker, to find a local dentist.
You should ask for help from your sponsor or support worker to find a local Dentist that provides NHS treatment.
You, your sponsor or Support Worker can
e-mail cav.gds@wales.nhs.ukExternal link opens in a new window and you will be placed on a Centralised Waiting List.
For NHS dental treatment your sponsor or support worker will help you apply for a HC2 certificate.
You will need to give this HC2 certificate number to the dentist when you book for your NHS appointment to avoid being charged for the NHS dental fees.
You will need to bring this HC2 certificate with you when you attend for the dental appointment.
For emergency care please contact CAV 24/7 on 0300 1020 247. You will not need to show a HC2 certificate to access NHS emergency dental care.
Access to optometrists
If you have a problem relating to your eyes, you should ask for help from your sponsor, or a Council Support Worker, to find a local optometrist (also called optician) that provides NHS services.
For NHS sight tests and NHS glasses please ask your sponsor or support worker to help you apply for a HC2 certificate.
You will need to give this HC2 certificate number to the optician when you book for your NHS sight test to avoid being charged for the NHS sight test and glasses. You will need to bring this HC2 certificate with you when you attend for the sight test.
For any urgent problems with your eyes, an emergency eye care service is provided by most optometrists 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Some optometrists are open on Saturdays. You will not need to show a HC2 certificate to access NHS emergency eye care.
For out of hours emergency advice, you can call NHS 111.
Out of hours healthcare services
If you have a health problem that is not a life threatening emergency but cannot wait until the doctor’s surgery is next open, please call 111 and they will direct you as to where you can access care and will only advise you to visit the hospital if necessary.
If you have a life threatening emergency, please call 999.
Public Health Screening
All families and individuals arriving in Cardiff and the Vale will be offered public health screening.
This is an additional health check for individuals who have come from overseas and who may have some additional health needs.
The Public Health Screening is undertaken by a dedicated service called the Cardiff and Vale Health Inclusion Service (CAVHIS).
This service is based in Cardiff Royal Infirmary.
On registration with a doctor’s surgery, CAVHIS will send an appointment to your address inviting you to attend for an appointment to complete the health screening.
When you attend CAVHIS, you will be asked for information to enable you to register:
- Photographic ID
- Proof of address where you are residing
Please make sure you attend for this appointment or if you cannot make the date or time, please call the department to make a different appointment.