Visitor Health Advice Centre

Yes. Visitors to Scotland can access private healthcare services without being registered with an NHS GP.

Private clinics can provide medical consultations, clinical assessments, and treatment where appropriate. Many visitors choose private care because appointments are often available more quickly and can be arranged around travel schedules.

At Arcadia Health Clinic, our clinicians are prescribing pharmacists providing private GP-style appointments on-demand.

If urgent emergency care is required, patients should attend Accident & Emergency services or call emergency services (999) immediately.

Yes, in many cases visitors can receive a private prescription following a consultation with a qualified prescribing clinician.

Prescriptions are issued only when clinically appropriate and safe. The clinician will assess your symptoms, medical history, current medication, and travel circumstances before recommending treatment.

Certain medicines may require additional safeguards or may not be suitable for private prescribing depending on UK regulations and clinical risk.

In many cases, clinicians can help visitors who have lost, forgotten, or run out of essential medication while travelling.

You may be asked to provide information such as:

• Details of your usual medication

• Evidence of previous prescriptions or medical records

• Contact details for your regular healthcare provider if available

A prescription for replacement medication can only be issued when it is clinically safe and permitted under UK prescribing standards.

Appointment availability varies, but private consultations are often available quickly, including same-day or next-day appointments depending on clinical demand.

Both in-person and online consultations may be available. Urgent health concerns are prioritised where possible.

If your condition is severe, life-threatening, or rapidly worsening, you should seek emergency medical care immediately by calling 999.

Travel insurance is not required to book a private consultation, and visitors are required to pay directly for care.

However, some travel insurance policies may reimburse private healthcare costs. Visitors are encouraged to check their individual policy terms if they wish to claim treatment costs.

We are happy to provide receipts and clinical documentation if needed for insurance claims - please allow 5-7 working days for this request to be processed and delivered.

Yes. Clinicians regularly assess and treat common illnesses affecting travellers, including infections, gastrointestinal illness, respiratory symptoms, allergic reactions, and medication disruption during travel.

The cost of a consultation depends on the consultation type, duration and booking flexibility. All prices are confirmed at the start of booking - see our booking page for more information.

All consultations include the provision of a private e-prescription (only where deemed clinically appropriate ad in-line with best practice guidelines) at no additional fee.