The UK has a healthcare system, called the National Health System (NHS) and this means that there is a level of free healthcare. The system is constantly under fire in parliament and in the press and is branded as being inefficient and under funded. Having said that, all things are relative and it beats having no free healthcare system at all.

You can visit the doctor for free in the UK, although you may have to pay an amount towards a prescription. You need to register with a doctor in your area as soon as you get there. Check your local phonebook for details. If you get sick and haven't registered with the doctor - not to worry - just pop along and they will register you while you're waiting. Contraception is free in most forms.

Medical insurance is still advisable though, in case of grave illness or a major accident. You may want to get treated before the NHS is able to schedule you one of their operations. In this case going privately can be hideously expensive. The insurance money is really money well spent.

Dentistry is not as popular on the NHS. Apparently the NHS doesn't reimburse dentists the rate that they require. So, how do you get dental care? You go the privatised, or semi-subsidised route. A number of South African and Australian dental practices have sprung up in London and some dentists will offer a free check up and only charge you for the treatment.