NHS services 

As a student at Cranfield you will need to register with a doctor’s (GP) surgery and dentist as soon as possible after your arrival. This ensures that you will be able to receive timely care should you need it during your time here. 

When registering at a doctor’s surgery, you will usually need to pick up and fill out a registration form. Some will allow you to complete a registration form online. Alongside this you will usually need to bring or have to hand:

  • Proof of your current address; and
  • Proof of your identity, e.g. driving licence or passport. 

General practitioners (GP) services

It is important that you register with a GP surgery near to where you live. GPs are skilled in diagnosis, especially at an early stage of a condition. They also know when and where to refer you if you require further investigations or treatment. A GP can recognise, advise, treat or refer patients with any medical or emotional condition. GPs are found in your local medical surgeries.

If you live in on campus or in Cranfield village, your local GP surgery is Marston Forest Healthcare, which has two practices:

  • Marston Moretaine - 59 Bedford, Marston Moretaine, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 0LA. Tel: 01234 766551.
  • Cranfield - 137 High Street, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0HZ. Tel: 01234 766551.

Further information on the practice and what online requests can be made is available on their website.

To become a patient at Marston Forest Healthcare, you will need to complete their registration form.

Once you have registered, check their website for consultation times. Appointments can be booked online or by calling 01234 766551.

Other surgeries local to Cranfield include:

If you live in Shrivenham your local surgery is Elm Tree Surgery:

  • High Street, Shrivenham SN6 8AG. Tel: 01793 782207.
  • Opening hours are 8.10am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

If you are unable to book an appointment

If you are unable to book an appointment, contact NHS 111 who can help if you have an urgent medical problem. NHS 111 will be able to: assist you with finding out what local service can help you, connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP, arrange an appointment if you need one, provide advice on any medicine you may need, and provide self-care advice.

Cranfield on-campus students unable to travel to an appointment

If you are too unwell to travel on public transport, and unable to get to your appointment or pharmacy to collect your prescribed medication via your own transport, with a friend or family member, or are not well enough to cycle, the university will arrange for a taxi service to take you free of charge.

To arrange a taxi, contact Security on ext. 2222 or from a mobile on 01234 752999, or Mitchell Hall reception on 01234 754343.

If you are in quarantine for travel reasons or in self-isolation and require transport to an urgent care clinic or arranged medical appointment, please do not use public transport. Please contact Security on ext. 2222 or from a mobile on 01234 752999, or Mitchell Hall reception on 01234 754343, who will arrange for a taxi to take you free of charge. This service is for the initial appointment only and limited to medical services within the Bedford and Milton Keynes area.

Find your nearest service online through the NHS website.

Emergency care

  • Milton Keynes Hospital - Standing Way, Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD.
  • Bedford Hospital - Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ.

In a medical emergency dial 999.

NHS 111 is telephone service available 365 days a year, allowing access local health services when you have an urgent need. All calls are free.

You will get through to a team of fully trained advisers, who are supported by experienced nurses.

They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms, and give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you to the right local service.

Where possible, they will book you an appointment or transfer you directly to the people you need to speak to.

Minor injuries

Urgent treatment centres (previously known as walk-in centres) are places you can go to if you need urgent medical attention but it's not a life-threatening situation.
 
Urgent treatment centres are led by GPs. You can just turn up at the centre or you can be referred to one by your GP or by NHS 111. Conditions that can be treated at an urgent treatment centre include:

  • Sprains and strains;
  • Suspected broken limbs;
  • Minor head injuries;
  • Cuts and grazes;
  • Bites and stings;
  • Minor scalds and burns;
  • Ear and throat infections;
  • Skin infections and rashes;
  • Eye problems;
  • Coughs and colds;
  • Feverish illness in adults;
  • Feverish illness in children;
  • Abdominal pain;
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea;
  • Emergency contraception.

The urgent care centre closest to Cranfield is in Milton Keynes. It is located on the Milton Keynes Hospital site and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are driving, there is a ‘pay and display’ car park. If you go by bus, use the MK Metro bus service 29 and 32 or another bus service that stops on Standing Way.
 
Address: Milton Keynes Urgent Care Centre, Hospital Campus, Standing Way, Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, MK6 5NG
Tel: 01908 303030 
www.miltonkeynesurgentcare.com
 
The urgent care centre closest to Shrivenham is in Swindon. It is located on the Great Western Hospital site and is open from 7am to 12am every day, including weekends and bank holidays. There is a ‘pay and display’ car park.

Swindon Bus Company’s bus numbers 1, 1A and 12 travel to the hospital from the town centre.
 
Address: Swindon Urgent Care Centre, Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon SN3 6BB.

Cranfield on-campus students

If you are too unwell to travel on public transport, and unable to get to your appointment via your own transport, with a friend or family member, or are not well enough to cycle, the University will arrange for a taxi service to take you free of charge.

To arrange for a taxi, contact Security on ext. 2222 or from a mobile on 01234 752999, or Mitchell Hall reception on 01234 754343.

If you are in quarantine for travel reasons or in self-isolation and require transport to an urgent care clinic or arranged medical appointment, please do not use public transport. Please contact Security on ext. 2222 or from a mobile on 01234 752999, or Mitchell Hall reception on 01234 754343 who will arrange for a taxi to take you free of charge.

Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns.

As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains. If symptoms suggest it's something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to see a GP.
 
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You don't need an appointment – you can just walk in.
 
Pharmacies provide the following services:

  • Dispensing of NHS prescriptions;
  • Access to the repeat prescription service (with agreement from your GP);
  • An emergency supply of medicine (subject to the decision of the pharmacist);
  • Non-prescription medicines like paracetamol;
  • Disposal of unwanted or out-of-date medicines;
  • Advice on treating minor health concerns and healthy living.

The closest pharmacy to Cranfield campus is:
D R Allen
Address: Mill Road, Cranfield, MK43 0JG
Tel: 01234 750238

Opening hours:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 9am-6.30pm
  • Wednesday - 9am-1pm
  • Saturday - 9am-1pm
  • Closed: 1pm-2pm

Pharmacies are also available at Tesco, Kingston and Boots, Kingston in Milton Keynes.

For non-urgent medical advice call the NHS 24-hour helpline on 111.