Good health and wellbeing are essential for all of us to thrive. This section will give you information on:
Healthcare
The National Health Service (NHS) provides professional health care for most people in the UK. The NHS Lothian website will help you to find a GP, dentist or optician near you. You should take proof of your student status, photographic identification (such as your passport), or an existing NHS number with you when you register. Once you have registered you will be sent a medical card with your National Health Service number.
NHS Costs
Hospital treatment: all students who are studying full-time courses of any duration in Scotland are eligible for NHS emergency treatment. This also applies to spouses and dependents. If a GP (General Practitioner aka Doctor) has to refer a patient to hospital for treatment, under the NHS there will be no charge.
Under the NHS you can visit a doctor for free. If medication is prescribed by the doctor for your condition, you will be able to get this free of charge at the chemist’s/pharmacy.
EU students are advised to have a European Health Insurance Card before they come to the UK.
International students no longer have access to free non-emergency hospital treatment, unless you have paid the immigration health surcharge. You are advised to have comprehensive sickness insurance before you come to the UK.
Visit the UKCIA Website and NHS Inform for further information about healthcare in the UK for International Students.
GP (Primary Care)
To see a doctor (a GP) you should register with a doctor’s surgery in your area very soon after you arrive. If you need specialist help you must first be referred by your local GP, so make sure you register.
If you later move out of the area or want to change your doctor for any reason, you should fill in the appropriate part of the card and hand it in to the new GP. Most GP surgeries have a number of doctors (GPs) and nurses working on site and if you especially wish to see a male or female GP, this should be possible.
GPs cover primary health needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but not all surgeries open on weekends and most close around 5pm/6pm.
You will be given information about your new surgery opening times when you register. When you cannot access help through the surgery and need medical advice or assistance before the next day, you can still phone at any time, although your call may be put to another service, such as NHS 24.
Optical treatment
If you think you need glasses, or have to replace your glasses, you will need to visit an optician. Eye tests are free but you will have to cover the costs of the glasses/contact lenses unless you qualify for help on the grounds of low income.
Dental Treatment
You should register with a dentist as soon as possible. There is a shortage of NHS dentists and it can be difficult to find one willing to accept new patients. However, your dentist does not have to be your nearest dental practice.
Anyone aged 25 and under who is registered with a Scottish dental practice can now get free NHS treatment.
Emergency dental treatment
Anyone who is not registered with a NHS dentist can obtain emergency treatment to relieve pain at Chalmers Dental Centre, 3 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9EW, (up to 3pm Mon to Fri). For out of hours after 5pm and weekends, telephone Lothian Dental Advice Line on 0131 536 4800. (The service is really there is for emergency pain relief and often the dentist will only do enough to relieve your pain until you can get to a dental surgery. The Centre is open Monday to Friday, 9am –3pm. This is a walk-in service and it may involve quite a wait and a number of assessments, but the treatment is highly professional.
Out of hours and emergencies
NHS 24
This is a professionally staffed helpline providing advice and information. When your surgery is not available it can help you assess whether you need immediate medical treatment or if you can wait until your GP’s surgery re- opens. Call 111.
Medical Emergencies
An emergency is defined as a sudden and acute need for medical help. Only in a case of genuine emergency should you attend the Accident and Emergency Department of a local hospital. Please don’t go to A&E for minor ailments, or things that can wait until you can get an appointment with your GP. They are not emergencies.
In Lothian, only the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and St John’s Livingston Edinburgh have emergency services. The Western General has a drop-in Minor Injuries Unit that’s operational 7 days a week from 9am – 9pm with the last appointment at 8.30pm.
The same applies to calling an ambulance. If you really need to get to hospital quickly because you have a genuine medical emergency and you are incapacitated, call an ambulance on 999. Don’t call an ambulance for a minor injury or if your need is not so acute that you can ask a friend to give you a lift, or you can take a bus or taxi to get there.
Meningitis
This is a rare disease, and the chances of contracting it are very small, even when there has been contact with someone who has developed the illness. However, it develops quickly and can kill, so any symptoms must be taken seriously. Meningitis is usually contracted through personal/intimate contact and young people are considered most at risk. Students under the age of 25 can be vaccinated against Group C meningitis through their local GP surgery.
It is important that you are aware of the signs and symptoms as it could save a life. Initial symptoms can be confused with the onset of flu, or even a bad hangover, but someone with meningitis deteriorates very quickly, so don’t leave a flat-mate you think may be suffering. Symptoms must be recognised early and treated quickly.
Some of the main symptoms of Meningitis are:
- fever
- vomiting
- unexplained drowsiness
- cold hands / feet
- severe headache
- aversion to light
- stiff neck
- joint pain
- skin rash that doesn’t fade under pressure
- confusion / delirium/convulsions
Note that not all of these symptoms need to be present at any one time. If you are worried about yourself or a friend you should call the Meningitis Now free helpline on 0808 80 10 388, available from 9am – 10pm, or go to their website. Alternatively, you can call NHS24 on 111. Don’t delay - time is of the essence.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Coming to University is a big life change for many students. Perhaps it is your first time away from home, or you are coming into higher education after a long period away from studying. You might have come half way round the world to be here and are missing home. Coping with changes in culture, lifestyle, finances, even language, as well as trying to keep up with studies, can sometimes get stressful and there may be times when things feel a bit bleak or scary.
A chat with friends might be enough to put life back into perspective, but there may be times when it’s not quite that simple. There’s help available if you frequently:
- feel depressed or worthless
- lack motivation or feel lethargic
- find it hard to concentrate
- feel isolated
- have problems sleeping
- eat too much or too little
- have panic or anxiety attacks
- depend on alcohol / drugs
- hear voices
- self-harm
Edinburgh Napier Counselling Service
The University has a confidential Student Counselling and Mental Wellbeing Service available to offer emotional support and help students develop coping strategies. Phone 0131 455 2929 for details, or email counselling@napier.ac.uk.
Should you wish to be put in touch with someone in matters of faith or spiritual direction, please email spiritualcare@napier.ac.uk and your enquiry will be dealt with promptly and in confidence.
ENSA Advice
Our advisers are here to listen. If you are not feeling well, not sure where to go for support or waiting to see your GP or the University Counselling Service, we’re here to help. Contact us on ensa.advice@napier.ac.uk or book an appointment.
Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a free confidential listening service which offers callers advice, guidance and support, underpinned by empathy and understanding. It is aimed at those (particularly, but not exclusively young men) who are suffering from mental health problems and emotional distress. Phone 0800 83 85 87. Lines open 6pm-2am, Monday to Thursday and 6pm Friday-6am Monday.
Edinburgh Nightline
Nightline is a support service run by students for students open from 8pm to 8am. You can talk to one of their trained volunteers about any issue, big or small, in confidence. They can also provide information on a range of things including taxi numbers, sexual health clinics and even exam times. Nightline also offers an online instant messenger service from 8pm to midnight which students may find easier to use than speaking on the phone. Contact 0131 5574444.
Useful contacts
Emergency and out of hours contacts
Sexual Health and C:Card
Make sure you protect yourself whenever you have sex.
Always use condoms to help protect yourself from catching or passing on an STI. When buying condoms look out for the CE mark or BSI kite mark on the packet. This means they have been tested to high safety standards.
Further information on safe sex and sexual health is available from NHS website and NHS Lothian Sexual Health
C:Card
Did you know you can order free condoms and get them delivered by the post?
C:Card is a free condom service in Edinburgh & the Lothians. It's quick and easy to get free condoms through the C:Card Network. They don’t need your name and address, or any other personal details. You just need to go along to the closest C:Card point that is appropriate for your age or order them by post.