The following people are available for you to contact about health issues:
- The Dean & Chaplain: (2)77716 - or via his secretary on (2)77733
- The Nurse: (2)77737
- The Junior Dean (main site): (2)77797
- Assistant Praefectus (Graduate Centre, Holywell Manor): (2)81341
- Graduate Wardens in other graduate accommodation (also listed on College Handbook page 8)
This page gives information about:
- Emergencies
- Doctors
- Nurse
- National Health Service
- Contraception and sexual health
- Dentist
- Opticians
- Counselling
- Pandemics
- University Health & Welfare Services
Emergencies
If a student sustains an injury or is taken to hospital, it is College policy that the Lodge be notified immediately ((2)77777).
Contact the Nurse (hours given below), or the College doctors' surgery (01865 240501 during working hours, 8.30am-6.30pm, and 0845 345 8995 out-of- hours). The Porters, Junior Deans and Wardens are also available to help you, particularly at night. In a life-threatening emergency the number to ring for an ambulance is 999. You can also obtain telephone advice at any time from NHS Direct, telephone number 0845 4647. There is an Accident & Emergency department at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington, but waiting times can be several hours, so it may be best to seek help from the College Doctors or Nurse first. The Nurse can assess injuries, close and dress cuts, and discuss the likelihood of an injury requiring an x-ray or further treatment.
Doctors
College Doctors: Drs Chris Kenyon, Deborah Waller and Partners, 19 Beaumont Street, 01865 240501. (Out of hours 0845 345 8995).
When you first arrive in Oxford you will need to register with the College Doctors. If you are already registered with another Oxford Practice you do not need to change doctors, but the College needs to know the name of your Oxford doctor.
Nurse
Sister Alison Nicholls RGN, Dip N is here to advise, treat, and support any College student or staff member who is 'unwell, injured, or in difficulty'. The nurse can help you to find ways of coping if the pressures and stresses of life here start to impact on your happiness and health. She holds surgery on the main site (st.22, rooms 1A/B) from 9.30-11.15am Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, and from 1.45-3.30pm Weds (she can also be seen at Trinity College 11.30-13.15); and also has a surgery for graduates, on Monday 2.15-3.45pm and Thursday 3.15-4.45pm in the Old Scout Rest Room at Holywell Manor. Family planning advice including emergency contraception, and travel advice are also available (please contact her as soon as you have confirmed your travel plans). All consultations are confidential.
- Main site
- Room: staircase 22, room 1
- Email: college.sister@balliol.ox.ac.uk
- T: 01865 (2)77737
- Mobile: 07881 836803 (9.30-16.00 for urgent advice 24 hours)
- Holywell Manor
- Room: Old Scout's Rest Room
- Monday 14.15–15.45, Thursday 15.15–16.45
National Health Service
Registering with a General Practitioner (the College Doctor) will put you on the NHS database. If you phone the Practice they can give you your NHS number but you are rarely asked for it.
Consultations with doctors are free. The only payment will be for the medicine they may prescribe. The prescription should be taken to a pharmacy (e.g. Boswells in Broad Street or Boots in Cornmarket St) and you will need to pay a flat rate, currently £7.20 for each medicine or preparation prescribed. The rules regarding what can be sold over the counter and what is prescription only are very strict, but pharmacists are very helpful. Payment Exemption Certificates (for free prescriptions and dental care) are available for students on very low incomes with £16,000 or less in savings. Application forms (HC1) are available from the College Nurse.
Overseas students
Any student on a course lasting longer than six months is entitled to full NHS treatment for conditions which require treatment while they are here. For stays of less than six months you may be required to pay. Proof of eligibility may be required for hospital treatment.
Specialist consultations
These have to be arranged through the College Doctors, even if the specialist is to be seen privately. You cannot arrange to see a consultant without a GP referral. Some specialist departments have very long waiting times, e.g. dermatology and orthopaedics. The main reason any one would decide to be seen privately, is to be seen more quickly.
Physiotherapy and chiropody are often best sought privately. Please ask the College Nurse or Doctor for recommendations; a private physio holds clinics in a central college for very reasonable rates.
Alternative therapies (Homeopathy, chiropractic, herbal medicine, Chinese medicine, aromatherapy, acupuncture, reflexology etc.) are not available on the NHS at present. Some therapies are available through private medical insurance schemes e.g. BUPA. The College Nurse can provide contact numbers for a wide range of therapists.
Contraception and sexual health
Contraception is freely available from the College Doctors and College Nurse, or the Alec Turnbull Clinic, tel: 01865 456666. Emergency contraception is available from the College Nurse for 72 hours; come as soon as possible. Blood pressure and other checks for repeat oral contraceptive prescriptions are available from the College Nurse following an initial visit to 19 Beaumont St to see a GP or specialist Practice Nurse. Sexual health advice is also available from the College Nurse and GUM clinic, tel: 01865 231231. Testing for chlamydia is readily available.
Dentist
College Dentist: Mr John Coulter and Partners, 3 George Street, 01865 244304.
The dentist will see any junior member of the College as an emergency or regular patient on the NHS. A new service providing NHS dentistry for all Oxford University students is Studental based at Oxford Brookes University (01865 484608). NHS Dental treatment is not free, but it is cheaper than private dentistry.
Payment is expected at the time of the appointment, so take £20 - £30 with you. If you hold an NHS Payment Exemption Certificate you must present it at the time of the appointment or you will be required to pay (please see the College Nurse for application forms). Failure to attend appointments without notice incurs a charge. You are advised to retain your dentist at home for routine check-ups. Contact 01865 226785 for Oxford Area Dental provision for help when in pain and the College dentist is closed.
Opticians
There are several opticians around the city centre. Eye tests cost around £30. Lenses and frames are quite expensive and it pays to shop around. Once you have your prescription you can take it to any other optician to have glasses made up. For eye injuries and urgent conditions, contact the Nurse, the College Doctor or the Eye Hospital directly on 01865 234800.
Counselling
The University has a Counselling Service; the College's contact there is Elsa Bell, the Head of the Service. Appointments can be made by visiting the office at 11 Wellington Square, by phoning (01865) 270300 or by e-mailing. You may also wish to contact Nightline - 16 Wellington Square, tel: 01865 553456 or the Samaritans – 123 Iffley Road, tel: 01865 722122.
Pandemics
It is anticipated that there will be a small number of swine flu cases alongside other flu strains this academic year 2010–2011.
Flu and You
Please keep a supply of a simple painkiller such as Paracetamol, and buy a thermometer.
You can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading swine flu by:
- Always covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
- Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face, or to other people.
- Cleaning hard surfaces, such as door handles, frequently using a normal cleaning product.
If you are unwell
Whether you are living in or out of College, are a student or a member of staff, Balliol needs to know if you are ill. If you have flu symptoms, e.g. a temperature of 38°C or higher AND EITHER flu-like illness (two or more of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, limb/joint pain, headache) OR other severe/life-threatening illness suggestive of an infectious process, you should contact the Lodge to let them know you are unwell. Undergraduates and staff should contact the Balliol Lodge and Graduates the Holywell Lodge:
- Balliol Lodge: 01865 27777, 77777 internal, email: porters@balliol.ox.ac.uk (24 hours)
- Holywell Lodge: 01865 271501, 71501 internal, email: hmlodge@balliol.ox.ac.uk (24 hours)
If you are unwell at night, the Junior Deans, Assistant Praefectus and Wardens are available to help and advise you. The lodge will contact them on your behalf.
Please note that the symptoms of bacterial meningitis can superficially resemble those of flu. Here is a brief note of how the symptoms can be differeniated.
If you do become ill with a flu-like illness and have cause for concern please do NOT go to the GP surgery. Please ring on 01865 240501 (Doctors Surgery, 19 Beaumont Street) so that they can advise you over the telephone or alternatively ring NHS direct on 0845 4647.
It is important at this time to know where all students are - you must inform the Dean or Praefectus if you are going away from Oxford for not more than three consecutive nights using the forms available from the Balliol or Holywell lodges (College rule 3.3.4.2).
Junior Dean, Junior Praefectus and Wardens
|
Officer |
Name |
Room |
Telephone |
|
|
Assistant Praefectus |
Jaspreet Khangura |
Holywell Manor |
(2)81341 07717 573489 |
|
|
Dellal/Martin Warden |
Ashley Nord |
|
07760926312 |
|
|
Jowett Warden |
Anja Hayen
|
|
(2)81332
|
|
|
Jowett Warden |
Oscar Schofeld |
|
07900897224 |
|
|
Jowett Warden |
Se-shauna Wheatle |
|
(2)81872 |
|
|
Junior Dean |
Aimé Lopez Aguilar |
Main site Staircase III.9 |
(2)77797 |