Health and Safety
London is largely a secure city and it is safe to venture out late at night, except in a few areas such as North End of Notting Hill, in Brixton and in places South of Elephant and Castle. Although there are sporadic instances of gun and knife crimes, they are not as commonplace as they are made out to be. Terrorism is not a big concern despite some hysteria over the 2005 tube bombings.
You can feel safe all over London if you follow basic safety precautions. Just to be on the safe side women are advised not to travel alone when going out at night, especially in a cab. It is important to ensure that visitors and tourists make use of licensed registered cabs only as one can find many makeshift cabs and share cars in the city at night. These can be risky and hence should be avoided. Don’t flash your money around for all to see. If you are carrying a large amount of cash, make sure you stash it carefully in different pockets of your clothing. Credit cards are accepted everywhere, so make this your mode of payment. Be extra careful of your purse and other belongings, especially in a crowded tube. Policemen regularly patrol the streets, hence should some unfortunate incident happen, help is always at hand.
Food and tap water are perfectly safe in London. Travel immunization is not needed.
Tourists will find that London has some of the world’s most advanced medical facilities in the world. Hospital staff is warm, proficient and friendly. Every area has at least one big hospital, hence medical assistance is never an issue. The ambulance response system is also very efficient and emergency paramedic staff is on hand at all times.
St Thomas’ Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Tel: 020 7188 7188
University College Hospital
235 Euston Road
NW1 2BU
Tel: +44 (0)20 7387 9300
Charing Cross Hospital
Fulham Palace Rd,
London. W6 8RF
Tel: +44 (0)20 8846 1799
St Mary’s Hospital
Praed Street
Paddington
London
W2 1NY
Tel: +44 (0)20 7886 6666
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Road
London
SW10 9NH
Tel: +44 (0)20 8746 8000
Royal Free Hospital
Pond St
Hampstead
London
NW3 2QG
Tel: +44 (0)20 7794 0500
Royal London Hospital
Whitechapel Road
Whitechapel
London, E1 1BB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7377 7000
Homerton University Hospital
Homerton Row,
London, E9 6SR
Tel: +44 (0)20 8510 5555