It is important to take care of your health, particularly when living away from home. There will be no one to care for you except you. But universities play an important role in eliminating this fear of students. Many universities in the UK have a student health assistance program that facilitates students at every stage. The question is what type of assistance those universities provide. This will be the focus of our today’s discussion. Also, I will talk about student health centres in Bristol and Nottingham cities of the UK. These two cities have a large number of international students who need student health assistance. Before everything, let’s start with the UK health insurance system for international students.
UK Health Insurance for International Students
Research by The Academic Papers UK shows that after the USA, the UK is the top destination for international students. Students do not only go there to study degree programs but also for secondary school education. There is a dire need for student health assistance in the UK in these circumstances. The national health service of the UK National Health Service (NHS) is responsible for all the health-related issues of international students.
The health system of the UK is the top rated in the entire world. Before arriving at universities, all the international students have to obtain valid health insurance. The health insurance must be from NHS. If you buy insurance from a private firm, make sure that it is registered with the NHS. The services in the UK health insurance are emergency services, General Practitioner (GP), also known as doctors, as well as dentists. This remarkable student health assistance makes it the top destination for international students.
Student Health Centres
Many universities in the UK have student health centres for students. The staff at these centres provides all the health-related guidance and treatment for free. Full-time students enjoy this facility after paying a health fee. Almost every university in the UK has such student health centres where students can get advice from on their health and other issues.
The student’s health centres are divided into categories. One is NHS healthcare, while the other is primary healthcare. The primary purpose and services of both the centres are the same. The difference is that to access the NHS healthcare, students must register with a GP. To access primary healthcare, registration with a college doctor is enough. All the top-ranked universities offer basic student health assistance to all international students.
When it comes to Oxford University in the UK, it is responsible for the health of international students. The students can take the following services from the university health centres. A brief description of the services at the Oxford University, UK is as follows:
Oxford Physiotherapy Service
TOPS (The Oxford Physiotherapy Service) offers pain relief, rehabilitation and healing treatment. To avail of the service, international students have to make an appointment with the doctor. The appointments are available all through the year.
Dentists and Opticians
For routine dental check-ups and cleanliness, the students must consult the college doctor. The NHS dental care service is located at Brooke’s campus. Most University of Oxford colleges do not have special arrangements for opticians. If you have a special eye-related problem, you must consult with NHS GP (Doctor) or visit an eye clinic.
Bristol Student Health Service
Like Oxford, the University of Bristol also has a unique student health assistance program. There are a number of services that you can avail yourself of as a student. There are also different pharmacies in the university. These pharmacies provide immediate medication and advice on any type of health issue. The staff at the pharmacy only deals with emergency cases, e.g., conjunctivitis or urine infections. Of course, the pharmacy follows a particular timing. If the pharmacy is closed, you can contact 111 urgently. The support staff helps you on the phone and prescribe a medicine.
On the other hand, Bristol University also has a minor injury unit. In case of minor injuries, students can go there to get bandaged. The sexual health unit also provides great student health assistance on sexual issues. Besides, the student who catches a sexually transmitted infection can get treated in this unit. In these times of COVID-19, the university health service also offers Corona test service at the campus. The staff also addresses students’ queries related to vaccine and COVID-19 protocols.
Bristol Student Health Service Register
To avail of the above-mentioned services, the willing students must register first. The ways of registration for student health assistance at Bristol University are as follows:
- NHS App: All the students register themselves on this app. After registration, they can book appointments and order a repeat prescription from the chemist. On the same day of the appointment, students must also call on 0117 3302720.
- NHS Symptom Checker: This checker allows students to input what they feel. Based on the symptoms, it suggests which service students need to take. It is particularly helpful when the clinic is closed. You can get the medicine from the nearby chemist.
- Student Health App: Bristol University also has a student health assistance It helps them register with the college doctor and get themselves treated.
Student Health Centre Nottingham
When it comes to student health assistance, the University of Nottingham is not behind other universities in the UK. The student health centre at Nottingham University offers its services to staff, their families and students. The services of the university health centre include:
- Counselling self-help resources
- Exam and assessment stress
- Sexual health
- Mental health
- Sports and exercise medicine
- Travel
- Dermatology
An important thing to remember here is that you can use these services if you are;
- A student on a course of a minimum of three months
- Member of staff
- Spouse or child of a student or a staff member
Conclusion
The UK’s world-class health system provides huge student health assistance to the international students. Almost every university in the UK provides basic and primary medical consultation services. If your university does not have a healthcare centre, the NHS is always there to help.
