NHS advice for students
As thousands of university students arrive in Cambridge this autumn, the local NHS are offering advice to keep themselves healthy and well.
Starting university in a new city means meeting lots of new people, who may be carrying different strains of diseases and antibodies. This means there can be more chance of getting ill or passing on diseases to others.
For many this will also be their first time living away from home and taking responsibility for all of their health needs. To help students take control of their health and wellbeing NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough are offering the following advice:
- Make sure you are up to date with all your vaccinations, including MMR and MenACWY. If you’re not sure if you’ve had these vaccinations contact your GP practice and get booked in if needed before you start university.
- Even if you don’t plan to be sexually active while you’re a student, it’s good to be prepared. You can get contraception from most GP practices and sexual health services. Additionally local pharmacies run a pharmacy contraception service which provides oral contraception, including initiating new prescriptions and managing ongoing supplies, without needing a GP or sexual health clinic appointment.
- Register with a GP practice as soon as possible when you arrive in your university city if you’ll spend more weeks of the year at your university address than your home address.
- Take proactive steps to support your mental health and wellbeing. Regular exercise, eating nutritious meals, and ensuring you have sufficient sleep are all vital to your daily routine and helping to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Students should also be aware of the support services available to them, whether that is through the local mental health and wellbeing website www.keep-your-head.com or through Cambridge University or Anglia Ruskin University student support services.
- Take a basic first aid kit with painkillers, antihistamines, plasters, tissues, oral rehydration sachets and a thermometer.
Dr Fiona Head, Medical Director at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough said, “There’s lots to think about when arriving in a new city to start university and health and wellbeing should be at the forefront of students and their parents/carers minds whilst preparing.
“Our advice is simple, make sure you have all your vaccinations, be prepared if you feel unwell and make sure you register with local health services when you arrive.”
For more information about local health services in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough visit https://www.cpics.org.uk/local-services