Advice - Medical Advice

Advice Medical Care This information is accurate as of March 2016

1

How to get Medical Care This information sheet is for all students who need to register for medical care.

If you’re moving away from home to go to university, it’s important to look after your health while you’re there. Practical steps you need to take include registering with a new GP and finding your local sexual health service.

You can continue to see your family doctor at home during vacations.

How do I register with a doctor?

If, like most students, you spend more weeks of the year at your college address than your family’s address, you need to register with a GP near your college as soon as possible. It’s especially important if you have an ongoing health condition. That way you can receive emergency care if you need it and access health services quickly and easily while you’re at college.

You can choose to register with any local GP. Choose a doctor within walking distance and find out their opening times, either visit or phone to check if they will take you on as a patient. If you are accepted you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth and for your medical card (if you have one).

Follow this link for quick search of the practice closest to you: http://www. nhs.uk/Service-Search

GP Practices with links to Goldsmiths You are eligible to register with either the New Cross Health Centre or the GP-led Walk-In Centre New Cross (see below) if you live in a College hall of residence or within a two to three mile radius of the College.

New Cross Health Centre (40 Goodwood Road, New Cross SE14 6BL) Tel: 020 3049 2249 GP-led Walk-In Centre New Cross (Suite 3 Waldron Health Centre, Amersham Vale, New Cross SE14 6LD) Tel: 020 3049 2370 In the Waldron Health Centre building you can also find a Sexual health clinic (suite 8).

http://www.goldsmithssu.org/advice

This information is accurate as of March 2016

2 What to do when your doctor’s surgery is closed If you think you need to see a doctor out of normal surgery hours, and you can’t wait until they open again, call NHS 111.

You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation or emergency. The service is open 24 hours a day – 7 days a week and is free to call from a landline or mobile phone. An adviser will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you.

In an emergency, call 999.

If you want medical consultation without making an appointment you can also walk into any local pharmacy. The pharmacist can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints without having to wait to see your GP or go to the Emergency Department (A&E).

To find your local pharmacist, including details of opening hours, please visit: www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories or call NHS 111. Some pharmacies have extended opening hours and these can be found by clicking on the pharmacy link at: www.choosewellcambs.nhs.uk

Wellbeing and Learning support at Goldsmiths Being away from home for the first time, along with the academic and financial pressures of being a student, can lead to mental health problems, including anxiety and depression.

Goldsmiths offers drop-in sessions for confidential advice regarding • Disability adjustments • Mental health difficulties • Extenuating circumstances • Counselling • DSA The Wellbeing service is based in the Student Centre (RHB 117).

It can be helpful to declare your medical condition or disability to the university to ensure they are able to support you.

For more information, visit http://www.gold.ac.uk/wellbeing-services/

http://www.goldsmithssu.org/advice

This information is accurate as of March 2016

3 Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

As a higher education student living in England, you can apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you have a: • disability • long-term health condition • mental health condition • specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia The support you get depends on your individual needs and not on income.

For more information, visit http://www.gold.ac.uk/disability/dsa/

Prevention Tips 1) Check your vaccinations at the beginning of your university experience.

This is because you’ll be at particularly high risk in the first weeks of term, when you are likely to come into contact with many new people.

2) Get contraception. Even if you don’t plan to be sexually active while you’re a student, it’s good to be prepared. Contraception and condoms are free to both men and women from any GP (it doesn’t have to be your own) or family planning clinic.

3) Student life may not be renowned for early nights and healthy eating, but as the saying goes prevention is better than cure. Getting enough sleep and eating well will mean you have a better chance of staying healthy. You’ll feel more energetic and be better equipped to cope with studying and exams.

Meningitis It’s important to be able to recognise the symptoms of meningitis, and to know what to do if you think you, or someone else, may have them.

The symptoms of meningitis are: Severe headache; Stiff neck; Fever; Vomiting; Drowsiness or confusion leading to unconsciousness; Discomfort from bright lights; Back and joint pains; Rash – red/purple spots or bruises anywhere on the body that do not disappear when pressed with a glass.

http://www.goldsmithssu.org/advice

This information is accurate as of March 2016

4 If you, or a friend has any of these symptoms, you must get medical help immediately. Either call your GP or the New Cross Health Centre 020 7919 7147 (open 8.30am-6pm Monday to Friday). If the centre is closed, call the emergency number 020 8693 9066. Or dial 999 for an ambulance.

The following web sites have useful information: www.meningitis.org www.meningitis-trust.org www.studenthealth.co.uk

Where can I find further information and support?

NHS Choices http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/studenthealth/Pages/Fivehealthsecrets.aspx Citizens Advice Bureau https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/healthcare/nhs-healthcare/what-healthcare-can-i-get-on-the-nhs/

How the SU Advice Service can support you: For help and advice at all stages of the process, email advice@goldsmithsu.org

Contact Us

Visit us on the Goldsmiths Students’ Union website and click on Advice or contact us via e-mail: advice@goldsmithssu.org.

http://www.goldsmithssu.org/advice

This information is accurate as of March 2016