Health and wellbeing
Student Wellbeing is here to help you to stay healthy and well while at university. We support healthy lifestyles through a range of services and activities on and off campus.
We work very closely with partners within and outside of the University to ensure your health and wellbeing needs are met while you are here, and to empower you to take control of your own health and wellbeing to be the best that you can be.
For information and advice on Coronavirus please see University advice and guidance.
Please note that health and wellbeing services may be able in an alternative formats, due to the current Coronavirus. We can still provide you with support and advice on all health issues plus we offer virtual services to improve your well-being.
Access to health services
Do you need urgent medical treatment?
- call NHS 111
- contact your GP for an urgent appointment
- in an emergency go to the accident and emergency department at James Cook University Hospital.
Do you need advice?
- call NHS 111
Do you need to see someone?
- call NHS 111
- make an appointment with your practice nurse, GP, dentist or optician
- if you are not registered with a GP, please register at a surgery of your choice using the information here. International students should take an offer letter from the University, passport/visa and tenancy agreement
- if the GP practice list is closed to new patients you may need to choose another GP practice
- if you need to see someone and you are not already registered with a GP practice, you can contact a GP to ask for treatment as a temporary resident.
International students - access to health services in the UK
The 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 have to be paid for.
Measles
Measles is potentially a very serious illness which can on rare occasions be fatal. It is highly infectious and is spread through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The viral illness begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. This is followed with a rash that starts on the face and upper neck a few days later, and then spreads down the upper body, extending to the arms, hands, legs and feet.
There is no treatment for measles but it can be prevented by the safe and highly effective MMR vaccine and two doses are required to ensure the best protection.
The majority of cases (confirmed and suspected) in the North East are in unvaccinated school children and young adults.
To prevent spreading the illness, the Health Protection Agency is advising people with symptoms of measles to:
- stay away from school, nursery or work until at least four full days have elapsed after the development of a rash
- telephone their GP surgery or hospital A&E unit to inform them they have a rash illness before attending, so that arrangements can be made in advance for minimising their contact with other vulnerable patients
- avoid contact with pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and babies who are too young to be vaccinated, as they are more vulnerable to infection.
The Health Protection Agency says it is incredibly important to remember that measles isn't a harmless childhood disease and why we're urging people to check they are fully immunised and had both doses of the MMR vaccine.
If anyone has missed out on MMR in the past it's always possible to catch-up as the vaccine can be given at any age. Just contact your local GP.
Anyone who is concerned should contact their GP or NHS 111 in the first instance.
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges - the lining surrounding the brain. Anyone can get meningitis but students are one of the groups most at risk because of the closeness of student accommodation.
Signs and symptoms
- it is important you familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of meningitis and remember that symptoms can be mild to severe and you don't always experience them all.
- Meningitis is a medical emergency. If you suspect meningitis get medical help fast. Call your GP or NHS 111 or dial 999.
- More information about meningitis and the signs and symptoms
- Help protect your friends and family. Familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of meningitis.
ACWY Vaccine
- All Fresher's, under the age of 25 are eligible for their free ACWY meningitis vaccine. You may have had this already at school but it's worth checking with your GP
- If you have moved away from home to study it is important you register with a local GP so that you can obtain an appointment to have your meningitis vaccine. International students are eligible for the ACWY vaccine for free as well.
- We encourage you to try to get your vaccine before you arrive at University or as soon as possible after you have arrived
- Due to Covid19 there may be some restrictions on visiting your GP. Always check by calling before just turning up at a GP practice.
- Details of local GP practices can be found on the University website, student health and wellbeing pages.
Don't assume it's Covid
- It's especially important at the moment that you learn to recognise the signs and symptoms of meningitis to differentiate it from Covid19 and other illnesses.
- Always check with your GP or call NHS 111 if you are unsure.
- It might be Covid but it could be Meningitis.
Get help
If you or someone you know is ill and you suspect it's meningitis or septicaemia, get medical help immediately by contacting your GP or NHS 111. In an emergency dial 999 or go to your nearest accident and emergency department.
Mumps
Mumps is an acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and swollen painful glands. It's spread by coughs and sneezes. More rarely it can cause complications such as inflammation of the ovaries, testicles and pancreas.
What are the symptoms & what to do if you suspect you have mumps?
If you have any symptoms which may include: swollen glands, headaches, joint pain, high temperature you should contact your GP or call NHS 111 and avoid contact with others.
Mumps is most recognisable by the painful swellings in the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands), giving a person with mumps a distinctive 'hamster face' appearance.
It is important to contact your GP if you suspect mumps so a diagnosis can be made.
While mumps is not usually serious, the condition has similar symptoms to more serious types of infection such as glandular fever and tonsillitis.
Your GP can usually make a diagnosis after seeing and feeling the swelling, looking at the position of the tonsils in the mouth and checking the person's temperature to see if it's higher than normal.
Let your GP know in advance if you are coming to the surgery so they can take any necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infection.
If your GP suspects mumps, they will notify your local health protection team (HPT).
How is mumps spread?
Mumps is spread in the same way as colds and flu: through infected droplets of saliva that can be inhaled or picked up from surfaces and transferred into the mouth or nose.A person is most contagious a few days before the symptoms develop and for a few days afterwards.
During this time, it's important to prevent the infection spreading to others, particularly teenagers and young adults who have not been vaccinated.
If you have mumps you can help prevent it spreading by:
- Regularly washing your hands with soap and water
- Using and disposing of tissues when you sneeze
- Avoiding school, college, university, or work for at least 5 days after your symptoms first develop.
How to prevent mumps
If you have any concerns regarding your immunity, please contact your GP to check your MMR vaccination status.
If you are between 18 and 25 ypou may have only had one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. You need two doses to be properly immunised. Make an appointment with a GP for another vaccination if necessary.
What to do if you are diagnosed with mumps?
As soon as possible, after you receive a diagnosis of mumps, please email studentwellbeing@tees.ac.uk to let us know the date of your diagnosis. A member of the student wellbeing team will then get in touch. We can help with liaison with your school as well.
Stay away from University for the recommended amount of time, following onset of symptoms, or as directed by your GP.
Smoke-free campus
The University has a No Smoking Policy which supports the aim of a smoke-free campus, The policy aims to provide a healthy working environment and protect the health of employees, students and visitors to the University by raising awareness of the dangers associated with exposure to tobacco smoke. The No Smoking Policy states:
Smoking is prohibited in the following locations:
- all University buildings, including student residential accommodation
- the Darlington campus
- all areas of the Middlesbrough campus owned or managed by the University
- vehicles owned or hired by the University.
The preparation of smoking material in public areas within buildings is also prohibited.
Vaping is prohibited in the following locations:
- all University buildings, including student residential accommodation
- the vicinity of entrances, exits and ground floor windows of all University buildings
- vehicles owned or hired by the University.
There are services available if you wish to stop smoking, either through your GP, local pharmacy, community drop-in or helpline.
- NHS Stop Smoking Services
- The NHS Free Stop Smoking website - and helpline 0800 0224332
Alcohol and drugs
Drinking alcohol is part of student culture, but we just want to make sure you are safe when you are out drinking. If you are going to be drinking, leave the car at home. Try and have two alcohol free days each week. Stay well hydrated, a good way is to alternate an alcoholic drink with a soft drink.
Anyone with concerns regarding drug and/or alcohol use or feeling under pressure from friends to try drugs or alcohol can seek advice from Change Grow Live (CGL), based in the Live Well Centre, Dundas House, Middlesbrough.
If you are currently in recovery, Teesside University is a recovery friendly campus. There are weekly drop in meetings on campus. Contact Recovery Connections for more information, info@recoveryconnections.org.uk or 07949 034820.
Exam fit
Everyone deals with pressure differently, but we're here to help. Check out our list of simple things you can do to help stay healthy and well during your time at university - and beyond.
Long Covid support service
Long Covid is a new condition and more is being learned about it every day. It is affecting people in many different ways. As a result, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance which adopts a 'living' approach in order to reflect the evolving evidence-base. Here at Teesside University we are developing a new service to support students experiencing the ongoing effects of having had Covid19. The service currently offers Teams chats with a student wellbeing adviser and aims to meet the individual needs of students including health, lifestyle and study. The service will develop over time as we learn more about Long Covid and the diverse needs of our students accessing it.
Contact us
For general health and well-being related queries and how to access advice on alcohol use, smoking cessation, contraception - including emergency contraception, sexual health issues and dental treatment.
T: 01642 335018
E:
studentlife@tees.ac.uk
In person: Student Life
Student Life opening hours
Monday - Friday: 8.00am - 6.00pm
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