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.

Doctors

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.

St Andrews Medical Centre Dr Baura & Ptnrs
125 High Road, Willesden
London NW10 2SL
Phone: 020 8459 7755
Fax: 020 8459 7809

STAVERTON MEDICAL CENTRE Dr BURCH & Ptnrs
51 Staverton Road
London NW2 5HA
Phone: 020 8459 1359
Fax: 020 8451 6897

CHICHELE ROAD SURGERY Dr RANADE & partner
25 Chichele Road, Cricklewood
London NW2 3AN
Phone: 020 8452 4666
Fax: 020 8450 3680

Dentists

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.

FALLAH DENTIST
97a High Road, London, NW10 2SL
Tel: 020 8459 6965

BHATT MR M H
2nd Floor Medical Centre,
144 - 150 High Road, Willesden,
London, NW10 2PJ
Tel: 020 8459 2626

The DENTAL SURGERY
102a Cricklewood Broadway,
London, NW2 3EJ
Tel: 020 8452 0322

CRICKLEWOOD DENTAL PRACTICE
165 Cricklewood Broadway, Cricklewood,
London, NW2 3HY
Tel: 0208 452 5504

Exercise

If you're not yet familiar with the term Heathrow Injection, you soon will be. It's the extra layer of fat travellers seem to pick up when visiting London thanks to excessive drinking and fry-ups, and lack of exercise.

The good news is there are a few ways you can stop the weight gain and keep fit and healthy. There are many ways of making sure your not a victim of the heathrow injection - walk to the next stop, commute to work by riding a bike or so sit-up at home. There are also quite alot of gyms to join as well as social sport teams.

Gyms in the area - Nuffield Gym, Fitness First, Virgin Active Centre and Willesden Green Sport Centre. Monthly subcribtions is £30-60 depending on contract.