Health and Wellbeing

Your student visa confers access to the National Health Service (NHS), the UK’s healthcare system. NHS healthcare is free, except for certain things like travel vaccination or insurance certificates. You will have been issued with a NHS number with your visa and you may be asked to present this number when accessing healthcare, so keep a record of it to hand. As soon as you have settled into the College, you should register with a General Practitioner (GP) medical practice. This will be your first point of contact for health issues throughout your time in the UK. You are advised to do it as soon as you arrive – don’t wait until you are unwell!

If you feel unwell while in College, you can:

• Go to Reception, where there is always a First Aid-trained member of staff on duty;
• Make an appointment with your GP (General Practitioner); or
• Call 111. This is an NHS helpline and they will ask you questions about your symptoms and give you advice about your condition. If it is necessary, they may get a doctor to call you back, or make an appointment for someone to see you immediately, or advise you where the nearest pharmacy is or, in extreme circumstances, call an ambulance. It is a really good service.
• Talk to a pharmacist. The nearest pharmacy is Boutalls Pharmacy in Lambs Conduit Street but it is only open on weekdays. Boots Pharmacy in the Brunswick Centre has longer opening hours and is open at the weekends. They will be able to advise on medications, including the names of these medications in the UK.
• Go to the Accident and Emergency Centre. The nearest is University College Hospital which is a 20-minute walk away. Reception can call you a taxi.
• In an emergency, phone 999. 999 should only be used in a medical emergency, when you are seriously ill or injured and your life is at risk.

More information on medical, dental and sexual health can be found in the document in the Resources section. 

Wellbeing and looking after your mental health

Goodenough has paid for special service for College Members which is available 24 hours a​ day. Student Assistance Programme - 0800 028 3766 (Username: Goodenough Password: College). Health Assured also have an App available on Apple or Android  – it's called the My Healthy Advantage app (iOS and Android). You need to enter the code MHA142463 when prompted. They have many services available and their calls are answered by mental health counsellors. You can also ask them for access to the face to face or online counselling services they provide.

• Goodenough does not have trained counsellors but you can reach out to staff – all of the following would be more than happy to spend some time with you – Caroline (Registrar), Alan (Dean), Iwona (Deputy Registrar) Kate (LH Administrator) or Marco (WGH Administrator).
• If you would prefer to speak to a College member then there are Community and Welfare Co-chairs on the Members’ Council.
• Most universities and college have a free and confidential in-house counselling service
•  Your university or college may also have a mental health adviser
•  Go to your GP
• There are student-led services. Goodenough subscribes to Nightline which offers confidential listening, support and information from 6pm to 8am during term time
•  Uniheads - Online mental health training for students
•  Shout - Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
•  Kooth – free, safe and anonymous support for young people aged between 11 and 25
•  Student Minds – the UK’s student mental health charity
•  Student Space – wellbeing resources and advice
• The Wellbeing Thesis – an online resource for postgraduate research students to support your wellbeing, learning and research
•  You may prefer online self-help such as websites such as NHS Choices’ Moodzone or Students Against Depression

Staying fit and healthy

The College has a wide range of sports and fitness clubs to join to help you stay fit. In addition the Nuffield Health gym (Bloomsbury), located in the basement of London House, offers preferential rates to Goodenough Members. As well as gym equipment and classes, Nuffield Health also offersa range of wellbeing services including Physiotherapy, Physiology and Nutritional Therapy. Look out for news items here (and by email) on special offers for gym membership.