Order our free printed booklets

It is quick, easy and free to order our booklets. Sign up to create your free Mac orders. Log into your account and choose the booklets you want to order. Complete your order and we will send your items in the post.

Read or listen to our booklets online

If you prefer to read or listen to our booklets, you can do this online. Our booklets and resources page lists all of our available booklets, audiobooks and more.

Watch British sign language videos

You can watch our BSL videos about cancer on YouTube. On the Macmillan YouTube page look under Playlists to find out BSL videos.

Find our easy read booklets

Our easy read booklets use simple words and pictures to tell you about cancer. They can be useful if you want information that is easier to understand.

Looking for large print, Braille or another format?

If you would like our information in a different format such as large print or Braille, email us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk or call us free on 0800 808 00 00.

GP and community based care

GP stands for general practitioner. This is a doctor who treats general health conditions. GPs usually work in a local centre called a GP practice, GP surgery or medical centre. Your GP practice is often your first and main point of contact for healthcare. They can treat and manage many health problems. If you need more specialised treatment, they can arrange this for you. This is called making a referral.

Urgent and emergency care

This includes: emergency help for life-threatening conditions if you phone 999 advice about urgent health problems if you call 111 (in England, Scotland or Wales) care at an accident and emergency (A&E) department, or other urgent care centre such as a walk-in centre or minor injuries unit.

For some health conditions, you may need advice or treatment from a healthcare professional with specialist training. Depending on the type of specialist care, these teams may be based at a hospital or in the community. When you stay in hospital for specialist treatment, this is called inpatient care. When you have specialist treatment at a clinic, or at home, this is called outpatient care.

Pharmacists, dentists and opticians

Pharmacists give out medicines and give advice about taking medicines. They may also give some medical advice. Dentists help look after your teeth, gums and other parts of the mouth. Opticians help test eyesight. They prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses. Optometrists can also give treatment and advice for some eye health problems, such as eye infections.

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Refugee week >

Refugee week

16 - 22 June 2025 is Refugee Week, and the theme for 2025 is Community as Superpower.

Refugee Week is a UK-wide initiative that celebrates the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees. At Macmillan, we use this week to spotlight the unique challenges refugees face when diagnosed with cancer — and how we’re working to remove those barriers.

How to access healthcare services as a refugee

Most healthcare in the UK is provided by the National Health Service (NHS) and is free of charge for ordinary residents. An ordinary resident is someone who usually lives in the UK and is legally allowed to live here.

If you are a refugee or seeking asylum in the UK, you can have free NHS healthcare in the same way as an ordinary resident. This includes:

GP stands for general practitioner. This is a doctor who treats general health conditions. GPs usually work in a local centre called a GP practice, GP surgery or medical centre.

Your GP practice is often your first and main point of contact for healthcare. They can treat and manage many health problems. If you need more specialised treatment, they can arrange this for you. This is called making a referral.
This includes:

emergency help for life-threatening conditions if you phone 999

advice about urgent health problems if you call 111 (in England, Scotland or Wales)

care at an accident and emergency (A&E) department, or other urgent care centre such as a walk-in centre or minor injuries unit.
For some health conditions, you may need advice or treatment from a healthcare professional with specialist training. Depending on the type of specialist care, these teams may be based at a hospital or in the community. When you stay in hospital for specialist treatment, this is called inpatient care. When you have specialist treatment at a clinic, or at home, this is called outpatient care.
Pharmacists give out medicines and give advice about taking medicines. They may also give some medical advice.

Dentists help look after your teeth, gums and other parts of the mouth.

Opticians help test eyesight. They prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses. Optometrists can also give treatment and advice for some eye health problems, such as eye infections.

Registering for a GP

It is important to register with a GP practice. This is your main point of contact for healthcare services.

Anyone can register and it is free. Find out more about how to register with a GP in:

England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland

To register, you may be asked to show your passport, visa or proof of a UK address. You do not have to provide this when registering with a GP, but it is helpful to do so.

Support if you are a refugee

If you need help to access healthcare, or you are not sure of your rights to healthcare, the following organisations can help:

British Red Cross
Refugee Council

Support if you are seeking asylum, or have been refused asylum

Migrant Help can give advice and support, if you need help to access healthcare or you are not sure of your rights to healthcare. Visit the Migrant Help website or call their free asylum helpline on 0808 801 0503.

Resources for refugees affected by cancer

Support if you are a refugee

If you need help to access healthcare, or you are not sure of your rights to healthcare, the following organisations can help:

British Red Cross
Refugee Council

Support if you are seeking asylum, or have been refused asylum

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Support in your area

Find local support services. Simply enter your postcode and find support options near you.

Accessing information and support in your own language

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Talk to us on the phone

The Macmillan Support Line is free to call and open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm.

You can speak to the Macmillan Support Line in your own language. We have an interpreter service.

Call 0808 808 00 00 and tell us, in English, the language you need.

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Information in your own language

We have basic cancer information in 16 languages. This includes information about some cancer types and treatments.

If you cannot find information in your own language, email us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk or call us on 0808 808 00 00. We translate our information for free on request.

Watch our Mother Tongue series on YouTube to discover the impact having cancer information and support in different languages has had on people accessing Macmillan's services.

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Other information

We also provide information in other formats.

It is quick, easy and free to order our booklets. Sign up to create your free Mac orders. Log into your account and choose the booklets you want to order. Complete your order and we will send your items in the post.
If you prefer to read or listen to our booklets, you can do this online. Our booklets and resources page lists all of our available booklets, audiobooks and more.
You can watch our BSL videos about cancer on YouTube. On the Macmillan YouTube page look under Playlists to find out BSL videos.
Our easy read booklets use simple words and pictures to tell you about cancer. They can be useful if you want information that is easier to understand.
If you would like our information in a different format such as large print or Braille, email us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk or call us free on 0800 808 00 00.

Stories from people affected by cancer

Suad talks about the support her father received from Macmillan

Suad on the support her father received

Read about the support Suad’s father received from Macmillan during his cancer journey, and how it made a difference to their family.

Further support and information

Get advice about money

Answer a few questions to get practical advice to help with any money worries.

Help with your emotions

Macmillan offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. Find out more about emotional support available.

Supporting someone

Learn about how Macmillan can help you when you're supporting someone with cancer.

New to the UK with cancer

If you are new to the UK and living with cancer, we want to help you find the right support.

How we can help

Call us free on 0808 808 00 00

8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. You can talk to our cancer specialists about anything.

Email us

Email the Macmillan Support Team if you have any questions.

Chat online

Available 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. For confidential, real-time support if you don’t want to call.

Online Community

Chat online anonymously to others who understand what you are going through. Our community is available 24/7 and has dedicated forums where you can get advice and ask our experts.

Find local cancer support services

What's going on near you? Find out about support groups, where to get information and how to get involved with Macmillan where you live.

Skip to main content

Refugee week

How to access healthcare services as a refugee

Registering for a GP

Support if you are a refugee

Support if you are seeking asylum, or have been refused asylum

Resources for refugees affected by cancer

Support if you are a refugee

Support if you are seeking asylum, or have been refused asylum

Support in your area

Accessing information and support in your own language

Talk to us on the phone

Information in your own language

Other information

Stories from people affected by cancer

Suad on the support her father received

Further support and information

How we can help