Guide for International Students 2011 - Cardiff Law School

staying safe and healthy4243www.cardiff.ac.uk/internationalstaying safe and healthywww.cardiff.ac.uk/internationalHealth care in the UKStaying Safe and HealthyBefore you cometo the UKDo I need any vaccinationsor health checks before comingto the UK?We recommend that you are vaccinatedagainst tuberculosis, tetanus, polio,diphtheria, meningitis C and measles,mumps and rubella (MMR). Current adviceis that 2 doses of the MMR vaccine areneeded to give you adequate protection.For students studying medicine, dentistry,nursing and other health-related coursesplease check the immunisation detailsrequested on the Pre-Course OccupationalHealth Questionnaire sent to you.These precautions are necessary to ensurethat you are properly protected frompotentially serious illness. We stronglyadvise you to check with your doctorbefore leaving for Cardiff to confirm thatthese immunisations are up-to-date.If you have any queries about thevaccinations you require, please contactthe University Health Centre by emailhealth@cardiff.ac.ukA Doctor’s ReportIf you are having any medical treatmentor you have had any serious illness in thepast, please bring a doctor’s report with youin English. The report should give detailsof the illness, any medicines you are stilltaking and any future treatment needed.You should give this report to your newdoctor that you will be registering with,when you arrive in Cardiff.Do I need medical insurance?If you are coming to the UK for more than 6months then you are entitled to free healthcare in the UK. If you are coming for lessthan 6 months you are not entitled to freeNHS treatment, you should make sure youhave adequate medical insurance to covermedical costs if you fall ill and also to coveradditional possible costs resulting fromillness. These can be substantial and include:— Lost fees if you are unable to completeyour course— The cost of returning home if a relative is ill— Cost of a relative visiting you in the UKif you fall ill— Cost of returning to your home countryfor treatment— Or in the worst possible situation,returning a body home for burialEven if you are entitled to free NHStreatment whilst in the UK, you shouldconsider taking out insurance which coversthe above additional costs because you arenot entitled to free health care for illnessesthat existed before you arrived in the UKor anything that happened on the wayto the UK. Even if you are covered by theNHS for medical treatment, you may findthat there are long waiting times of severalmonths for services. An insurance policywhich gives you access to private medicalcare could give you much quicker accessto the treatment you need.If you already have medical insurance inyour home country, check whether you canextend it to cover your stay in the UK, aswell as looking at options available from UKinsurers. Endsleigh insurance in associationwith UKCISA has produced a special healthinsurance policy for international students,which also covers refund of tuition fees inthe event of illness and damage to yourpossessions when travelling to and fromyour home country to Cardiff. For moreinformation see www.endsleigh.co.ukYour PersonalSafetyCardiff is a safe city, but like all cities youhave to be sensible. The vast majority ofinternational students enjoy a positive andrewarding experience during their stayin Cardiff. The suggestions that follow areintended to advise, not to alarm. Much ofthe advice is common sense, but it canmake a real difference.— If you go out alone at night make suresomeone knows where you are going.— When you go out in a group at night staywith them; there is safety in numbers.— Keep to public routes that are well lit atnight. Don’t take risky alternative darkroutes even if in a hurry.— Carry a personal safety alarm; availableat discounted prices from the UniversitySecurity Centre.— If using a taxi, use a recognised taxirank or try and pre-book with a reputabletaxi firm (see page 35).— If travelling alone in a taxi, always sitin the rear seat behind the driver.Further information and advice areavailable from the Security Centre which isbased on Park Place, opposite 51 Park Place(number 35 on the campus map).Security on campusThe University Security Centre provides24-hour security cover for the Universitycampus and halls of residence.A comprehensive CCTV camera systemoperates throughout the Universitycampus, including the large residentialsites. The cameras, in conjunction withtwo-way radios, are used to great effect,directing security staff to incidents, andthe Centre works in close liaison withthe police.Arriving in a new country is a very busy timeand there are lots of changes to cope with.Please make sure that you don’t forget totake care of yourself when you are adjustingto the unfamiliar UK food, different climateand the emotional strains of being away fromhome.How do I register with a doctor?In the UK, non-emergencies are dealt within a surgery by a doctor known as a GeneralPractitioner (GP). You need to register with adoctor before you are treated. So you mustdo this within the first week of your arrivalin the UK. You do not pay to register withor to consult with a doctor. Women cansee a female doctor. GP appointments areshort - only 5 minutes or 10 minutes, butyour GP will refer you to a consultant - anexpert - if you need extra or special treatment,like an operation. Names and addresses ofdoctors can be obtained from the UniversityHealth Centre or www.cardiff.ac.uk/osheu/healthcentre/gpdentWhere can I find a dentist?Although dental treatment is available on theNHS, it is not always free. You may receivea dental health check up without beingcharged but additional dental treatmentwill be payable depending on individualcircumstances. You can choose which NHSdentist you want to be registered with (it doesnot need to be the dental practice closest toyour residence), but you need to be registeredwith a dentist before you receive treatmentfrom them. To find a list of NHS registereddentists (these are considerably cheaperthan private dentists) see www.cardiff.ac.uk/osheu/healthcentre/gpdentWhere can I get further healthadvice?If you or your family are feeling ill, NHSDirect can be a helpful source of advice andinformation. The NHS Direct website andtelephone service can provide informationabout the provision of local services, suchas doctors’ surgeries, dentists, opticiansand pharmacies. NHS Direct also providesa confidential health care advice andinformation service 24 hours a day.Tel: 0845 46 47 www.nhsdirect.nhs.ukAm I entitled to free medicaltreatment in the UK?If your course is 6 months’ duration or moreyou will qualify for National Health Service(NHS) treatment. You must also register witha doctor (see above).This is the UK’s state health service whichprovides treatment on a wide range of healthcare services. If you are entitled to NHStreatment the following services will be freeof charge:_ Medicine you require on prescription - this isfree in Wales (but not throughout the UK)_ Consulting a doctor/General Practitioner/GPand most other GP services (e.g. visiting adoctors’ surgery/clinic)_ Treatment in a hospital (both emergencyand non-emergency treatment)You are likely to pay for:_ Some GP services (e.g. vaccinations for traveland getting a sickness certificate)_ Dental treatment_ Optical treatment (you can get free andreduced price optician services throughthe University’s School of Optometry)_ Any illness or conditions which existedbefore you arrived in the UKCardiff University’s StudentHealth CentreThe Student Health Centre is available for useby all Cardiff University students and offersservices including family planning, holidayvaccination information, wart and verrucaclinics and general health enquiries.Should you be unwell, have difficulties withyour studies, or experience personal problemsyou are encouraged to seek help at theearliest opportunity. The practice nursesoperate a “drop in” service where you willgenerally be seen within 15 minutes of arrivaland an appointment can be made with thedoctor, if required. The Student HealthCentre is not open at the weekend orevenings, which is why it is essential thatyou register with a GP.Further information on the Student HealthCentre and topical health issues can be foundon the webwww.cardiff.ac.uk/osheu/healthcentre