Health and welfare
Looking after yourself is very important. You need to know your entitlements and how to access medical services once you are in the UK.
- The National Health Service (NHS)
-
The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK's state health service, which provides treatment for UK residents through a wide range of health care services. Some services are free, and some you will have to pay for.
Who is entitled to NHS treatment?
The following NHS treatment is free for everyone:
- some emergency treatment (but not follow-up treatment)
- family planning services
- treatment of certain communicable diseases
- compulsory psychiatric treatment.
To qualify for any other NHS treatment, you must meet the following conditions.
If your course of study is for six months or more you will qualify for NHS treatment from the beginning of your stay on the same basis as anyone who is ordinarily resident in the UK. Your spouse or children (up to the age of 16 or up to the age of 19 if they are in full-time education) with you in the UK will also be entitled to NHS treatment.
If your course of study is for less than six months and you are studying on a course that is substantially funded by the UK Government, you will receive full NHS hospital treatment from the beginning of your stay, even if your course is under six months long. 'Substantially' means at least 35 per cent Government funded. You will need to provide evidence of the funding in order to qualify for free treatment. However, you might not be eligible for free GP treatment.
If you are in one of the eligible categories described above, you can register as a patient with a local doctor (also referred to as General Practitioner or GP). GPs are doctors who are trained and experienced in diagnosing a wide range of health problems. The doctor/GP will be based in a local office (called a surgery) or in a health centre
You are also entitled to free treatment in NHS hospitals.
Even if you are entitled to free NHS treatment, there is a charge for prescriptions. The charge for each prescription is currently £7.85. See the NHS website for more information about prescription charges.
Reciprocal health care agreements
The UK has reciprocal health care agreements for the following:
- nationals of countries in the European Economic Area
- those who are nationals of: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Croatia, Georgia, ex-Yugoslavia ie Serbia and Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Kirigizstan, Macedonia, Moldova, New Zealand, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
- those who are residents of: Anguilla, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Channel Islands, Falkland Islands, Iceland, Isle of Man, Montserrat, St Helena, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Please note that this list is subject to change.
If you are covered by a reciprocal health care agreement, you will be eligible for some NHS treatment even if your course lasts less than six months. Reciprocal health care agreements generally cover hospital treatment if the condition started during your stay. They do not, however, always cover treatment of an existing condition. Before you travel, you should seek advice from the health authorities in your home country about what treatment will be covered. You may still need to take out limited medical insurance. If you are a Swiss national or a national of one of the member states of the European Union who has come to study in the UK from Switzerland, you will have the same healthcare eligibility as European Economic Area (EEA) nationals .
However, this does not apply to you if you are a national of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and you have been resident in Switzerland before coming to the UK.
European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals
All non-UK European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and their family should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before coming to the UK. This card entitles the holder and their family to full NHS treatment on the same basis as the student categories described above. For more information on the EHIC, see the Department of Health website or contact your government's health department. Please note that the University Health Centre recommends that you also take out comprehensive health insurance as you may want a quicker service than the NHS can deliver.
If you are not in one of the eligible categories described above, and your course is under six months long, you and your family are only entitled to limited free NHS treatment. You will have free emergency hospital treatment, but only the treatment given in a NHS Accident and Emergency department is free of charge. Once you are admitted on to a ward or given an outpatient appointment, charges will apply. GPs may agree to treat you for free, but this will usually be limited to urgent treatment that cannot be delayed until you return home. You will have to pay for any other treatment as a private patient.
It is therefore very important that you take out medical insurance for the duration of your visit to the UK. Please note that private medical treatment is very expensive if you do not have private medical insurance.
- Health Centre at Sussex
-
The Health Centre is located on campus next to Lancaster House. General medical care is provided by four doctors and their staff. Many services, including contraception, are provided at the Health Centre. When appropriate, an individual will be referred on to other agencies. To make an appointment to see a doctor or nurse, call T 01273 249049 or go to the Health Centre reception desk. Further information about the University Health Centre, including details of opening times, is available online.
Health centre registration
All students and dependants living on campus should register with the University Health Centre as soon as possible after completing your University registration. The easiest way to do this is online.
It is also possible to register in person at the Health Centre, which is located next to Lancaster House on campus.
Please note that in order to register with the Health Centre, you need to meet the conditions of eligibility. As general practitioner (GP) surgeries/health centres in the UK operate on a geographical basis, students need to register with a GP surgery in their area. If you live off campus in the surrounding area, you may still be able to register with the University Health Centre if you wish, or you can register with another surgery. To identify practices in your area, contact NHS Direct on T 0845 4647 or look at their website www.nhs.uk and enter your postcode. Once you have found a practice, phone to ask if they are accepting new patients. If you have difficulty finding a practice that will accept you, contact NHS Direct on the above number.
Early arrival in the UK
Students who intend to arrive in the UK before the start of their course should have short-term medical insurance for the period between their arrival in the UK and the start of their course.
Dentist
There is a dental surgery located in the Health Centre Building. Surgery hours are 9.30am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30am-4pm on Friday. Appointments can be made by telephoning 01273 605555. You should note that dental treatment under the National Health Service is subsidised but not free.
Pharmacy
There is a pharmacist on campus located next to the Health Centre who will dispense medicines on prescription. The pharmacist can also provide emergency contraception and advice on the treatment of symptoms of minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, hayfever, etc.
Charges
Although treatment under the NHS is normally free, some emergency services may incur charges and there is a standard charge for prescribed medications - currently £7.10 per item, which is payable to the pharmacist dispensing the drugs. Charges are also made for dental and optical treatments.
Meningitis
Meningococcal disease or meningitis is a relatively rare disease and the levels of infection at the University of Sussex have been no different to the average levels at other UK universities. However, isolated cases have occurred and it is important for you to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis.
The symptoms for the disease are not at first easy to spot as they are very similar to those of the flu. Some of the symptoms include:
- being sick
- high temperature
- violent or severe headache
- stiff neck
- dislike of bright lights
- drowsiness and lack of energy
- painful joints
- fits
- rash - tiny spots or bruising under the skin that do not turn white when they are pressed.
An effective vaccine is now available to protect against meningitis C strain. You should try to arrange immunisation with this vaccine before arriving in the UK as protection takes about two weeks to develop. If this is not possible, you can be immunised at the Health Centre free of charge. However, there is no vaccine protection against B strains of the disease, so please remain vigilant. If you think that someone might have meningitis, contact your doctor immediately. If the doctor is unavailable, then go straight to the nearest Accident and Emergency room at the local hospital.
There have also been recent outbreaks of mumps on university campuses in the UK. You are therefore advised to check your immunisation status before travelling.
UKCISA produce a useful guide to medical services in the UK, as well as helpful information about diet, weather, and personal health issues.
- Sussex Health and Wellbeing
-
There is lots of information on the Heath and Wellbeing pages about how to stay well, eat well, sexual health, mental wellbeing, keeping safe and keeping active.
Sexual Health
The CaSH (Contraceptive and Sexual Health) Action team on campus provides sexual health advice and free condoms on campus.
From the autumn term, you will be able to sign up for a new campus card which enable you to collect condoms discretely from a number of pick-up points on campus.
Drugs and Alcohol
Brighton is a lively city with a large population of young people. It is an exciting place to live and many students choose to study here for that reason. As with any city there is a diversity of lifestyles and you may find yourself in situations that are new and unfamiliar. Generally speaking, the UK has a culture of sexual freedom and Brighton itself has a large gay community. There are many different illegal drugs that are used recreationally in the UK, and these are often associated with cities and with young people. However, this does not mean that all young people in Brighton are taking drugs.
There is lots of advice and information available on campus for students who might be concerned about drugs and alcohol use.