Health
The NUS have recently conducted a huge national survey about the health care habits of students. They have found that one in ten students doesn’t go to see their doctor because they’re afraid it’ll cost them. Also one in ten students isn’t registered with a doctor at all. And one in ten doesn’t even know how to find a local doctor. (Makes you wonder who that one student in ten is.)
All the while, four fifths of all students expect to need a doctor at some point during their studies. A similar trend is seen among dentists and opticians.
15% of students don’t visit a doctor when they need to and one in twenty won’t go if they’re suffering from mental health problems. A big reason for this failure to go is a worry about costs.
Half of all students spend between one and thirty quid on healthcare every month, though a lot of that might be hangover cures.
Most students qualify for free prescriptions, eye tests or dental checks. The scheme is called Pricing Prescription Authority Low Income Scheme and only really involves filling out a simple form. See www.ppa.org.uk.
Some universities rely on students registering with a local NHS practice, which may be okay, but is a bit of a risk for those who don’t bother, or who keep meaning to but don’t get round to it.
Others have their own dedicated practices on campus or near one of their sites. Apart from a full complement of doctors, nurses and occasionally (but rarely) dentists, many have specialists including psychiatrists, family planning/sexual health advisers, and even sports physiotherapists.
If you have an existing medical condition, you’ll want to be sure that arrangements are satisfactory – but with outbreaks of meningitis almost every year at universities, it’s wise to be prepared even if you’re healthy as a dog with shares in Pedigree Chum.
Last updated on: 21 April 2008