NHS services for students

If, like most students, you spend more weeks of the year at your university address than your family’s address, you need to register with a GP practice near to you as soon as possible. That way, you can access health services quickly and easily while you’re at university.

This is especially important if you have an ongoing health condition, particularly one that needs medication, such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy.

If you need regular prescription items, consider registering for the electronic repeat dispensing service (eRD) as you will be able to pick up from any pharmacy you nominate, which can be easily changed if you are at home or at university when you need a further supply.

Registering with a GP practice gives you access to a range of health professionals so you can be seen by the right person as quickly as possible. Find a GP practice.

Getting ill during the holidays

If you become unwell or need other medical treatment when you’re at home or not staying near your university GP, you can contact your nearest practice to ask for treatment.

You can receive emergency treatment for 14 days. After that, you will have to register as a temporary resident or permanent patient. Find out how to register as a temporary resident with a GP at www.nhs.uk

You can also visit an urgent care service anywhere in the country. These can provide treatment for minor injuries or illnesses such as cuts, bruises and rashes. However, they are not designed for treating long-term conditions or immediately life-threatening problems. You don’t need to be registered and you don’t need an appointment.

Other health services available 

You don’t need to see a GP for all medical conditions. Many common issues, such as colds, sore throats, hay fever or conjunctivitis, can be dealt with by a pharmacist.

Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for medicines that can be bought ‘over the counter’ for a range of minor health concerns. Instead, over-the-counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket.

Your local pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns and if your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they’ll make sure you get the care you need. Find out more at www.StopThinkChoose.co.uk

Urgent treatment

Visit an urgent treatment centre if you have a suspected broken bone or fracture, a sprain or a strain, minor cut, burn or scald.

You don’t need an appointment and they are open a minimum of 12-hours-a-day from 8am to 8pm, 365-days-a-year, including bank holidays. Find your nearest centre at www.StopThinkChoose.co.uk

Covid-19

If you have symptoms of Covid-19, try to stay at home and avoid contact with others. The symptoms are very similar to a cold or flu and can include a headache, sore throat, a new and continuous cough, high temperature, loss or change of smell and feeling tired and achy. Find out what to do if you have Covid-19.

Check to see if you are eligible for a vaccination to boost your protection at www.GetVaccinatedNow.co.uk

Help with prescription costs

You may be eligible for free prescriptions. See if you are eligible for the NHS Low Income Scheme or think about a prepayment card.

Dental problems can’t be dealt with by doctors, so make sure you register with a local dentist. Not all treatment is free, even under the NHS. You may be able to apply for help with health costs, including prescriptions and dental care.

Find an NHS dentist near you. 

Men ACWY vaccination

Young people are now routinely offered a vaccination to prevent meningitis W disease. The Men ACWY vaccine protects against four different causes of meningitis and septicaemia: Meningococcal (Men) A, C, W and Y diseases. It replaces the separate Men C vaccine.

In England, the Men ACWY vaccine is routinely offered to teenagers in school years 9 and 10. If you missed having it at school or did not have it before coming to the UK to study, you can ask your GP for this vaccine until your 25th birthday. It is particularly important to have the vaccination if you’re a student going away to university or college for the first time, ideally before the start of the academic year. This is because you’ll be at particularly high risk in the first weeks of term when you’re likely to come into contact with many new people of a similar age.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

All students should have been offered the HPV vaccine during secondary school.

The vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes most cervical cancers and cancers that affect both boys and girls, including some anal, genital, mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers. It also offers protection against the most common genital warts caused by HPV.

Any student who missed their HPV vaccine can catch up before their 25th birthday by contacting their GP practice.

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination

Universities and colleges also advise students to be immunised against mumps, measles and rubella before starting their studies. The MMR vaccine is part of the routine NHS childhood immunisation schedule. This means most young people who’ve grown up in England will have had two doses of it in childhood. These highly infectious conditions can easily spread between unvaccinated people.

Getting vaccinated is important, as these conditions can also lead to serious problems, including meningitis and hearing loss. If you’re not sure you’ve had two doses of the MMR vaccination. Your GP practice can give you any missing doses of the vaccine.

Flu vaccination

Have an annual flu vaccination if you have a long-term health condition, such as asthma (needing steroid inhaler or tablets), diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease. More details on the vaccine, including a list of conditions eligible for a free flu vaccination: www.GetVaccinatedNow.co.uk

You can treat flu-like symptoms with medication, which can be bought from a supermarket or pharmacy, without the need to see a GP or have a prescription.

Even if you don’t plan to be sexually active while you’re a student, it’s good to be prepared.

You can get contraception from most GP practices and sexual health services. This includes routine oral contraception and emergency contraception.

In addition, your local pharmacy is a convenient place for people to receive advice and support for contraception, with many pharmacies opening into the evenings and weekends and offering walk-in services.

Within Kent and Medway, a number of participating pharmacies can offer patients a supply of oral contraception without needing to attend their GP practice or sexual health clinic to obtain a prescription. This applies to patients already prescribed these medicines and looking for a further supply, and those considering starting this medicine. Find  your nearest participating pharmacy. 

All pharmacies offer emergency oral contraception, with many pharmacies providing this free for patients meeting certain criteria.

Emergency oral contraception can be given up to 120 hours following unprotected sex or a coil can be fitted up to 120 hours following unprotected intercourse. This could be accessible from your GP or specialist sexual health service.

Visit the sexual health website for your local area for more details.

Safe sex

Condoms help protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and are free to those under 25.

Many STIs, such as HIV, have no symptoms. The more partners you have, the higher the risk of getting an STI.

If you’re worried you have put yourself at risk of or may have an STI you can get tested for HIV and STIs. Either order an STI/HIV test online or contact sexual health services.

Find out more, including your local service in Kent and Medway.

Prevention is better than cure, as the saying goes, so you’ll greatly increase your chances of avoiding your GP’s waiting room by taking care of yourself in the first place.

Student life may not be renowned for early nights and healthy eating, but 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.

Remember to:

• eat five portions of fruit and vegetables
• buy wholemeal bread and pasta instead of white
• keep fast food to a minimum.

Eating well doesn’t have to cost a lot and is often cheaper than takeaways. Taking the time to cook simple meals instead of eating out or buying ready meals is also healthier.