Broadcast: News items

Mobile Testing Unit – returns to campus this weekend (14 – 15 November) 
The Mobile Testing Unit returns to campus this weekend (Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November) and will again be located in the Arts Carpark (no.7A). This testing facility is for symptomatic testing only and those students concerned about having Covid-19 symptoms and requiring a test should book an appointment through the national booking system. The University also has home testing kits too, which are available to students living on campus once they have filled out the University’s reporting form.  

New proposed testing programme for students
This week the Government announced plans for mass asymptomatic testing of university students for Covid-19 to enable them to return home for the winter vacation. The University is very supportive of these plans and have learned that our initial application for the programme has been successful.

We have been sent further information as a result and are now working through the next steps: we hope to hear that we have definitely been selected next week. As soon as we have this confirmation we will be back in touch with you soon to set out the details of how we will proceed with this. Testing is expected to begin w/c 30 November. We will share more information with staff and students at the earliest opportunity.

Mental Health at Sussex
Please remember that the University’s online wellbeing hub contains a wide range of self-directed resources for staff. This will support our patterns of flexible working and other initiatives which we are developing. As well as physical and mental health resources, there is a section on financial wellbeing, and a section for managers to ensure they are able to support their direct reports and so we can ensure a duty of care to support the wellbeing of others.

Following a request for volunteers, more than 50 members of staff have come forward to help support the work of the Mental Health Staff Forum, which will shape the development of our mental health and wellbeing provision. The Forum has now held the first of three launch meetings in which we will begin to shape our priorities for the coming year. Please email edi.unit@sussex.ac.uk if you are interested in joining the Forum, or if you have any questions about it please email Sharon Neal on s.f.neal@sussex.ac.uk. 

Updated advice for students who are self-isolating in shared accommodation
There is new guidance for students who are self-isolating due to a positive test result who live in shared accommodation. You can access this information by visiting the H&S Covid-19 resources page under the drop down menu “isolations”. It outlines the length of time students need to need to self-isolate for if they or their flatmates develop symptoms. One they have reported their symptoms then there is more information about the next steps they need to take.