Staff supporting students
Supporting students with health matters
Information on student healthcare, health emergencies, first aid, communicable illnesses and self-certification of illness.
Student healthcare
Healthcare around campus
Our information on student healthcare provides contact details for Unity Health which is the health centre closest to campus. There is also advice on the York NHS Urgent Care Centre, local dentists, opticians and pharmacists.
Registering with a doctor
All students who are not normally resident in the York area are advised to register with a doctor while at the University.
For those not familiar with the UK healthcare system it is important that they understand that they need to be registered with a doctor, known as a General Practitioner (or GP), in order to receive healthcare.
It is also important to explain that this is a free service for all students who are resident in the UK for at least six months; those who are here for less than six months will usually have to pay.
Student in hospital, please contact
- Jill Ellis
Head of Student Support
Student Hub
Market Square
01904 324140
student-hub@york.ac.uk
Health forms, policies, guides and reports
Board of Studies
Meningitis and communicable diseases
, 29kb)Students seeking help with treatment costs should complete our self-referral form.
Health emergencies
Each medical emergency is different, but in many situations a member of staff trained as a first aid provider should be called in the first instance. They will then assess the situation, administer appropriate first aid and decide what if any further aid is required.
The Health Centre on campus is not an emergency service and casualties should not be sent there for treatment. The York NHS Walk-in Centre in Monkgate is suitable for less serious or less urgent cases.
Where it is apparent that it is a serious medical emergency, an ambulance should be called to the scene without delay.
First aid trained staff
There are significant numbers of University staff trained in providing First Aid. There should be at least one first aid trained staff member in every department and most security staff are also first aid trained.
Communicable illnesses
In our close-knit community, we must all be vigilant to prevent infectious diseases. Knowing how to recognise and treat these conditions, and when you should stay at home, is the best way to prevent them spreading. We provide advice for students on infectious illnesses including Covid-19, flu and meningitis.
The Health Security Agency issues alerts on communicable illnesses and other public health updates.
All students need to be up to date with vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and meningococcal MenACWY vaccines. We also advise that students follow NHS guidance for vaccinations, including Covid-19 and seasonal flu jabs.
International students from many countries are expected to attend the TB screening session at the start of each academic year.
If you have any questions regarding communicable diseases, please email Jill Ellis (jill.ellis@york.ac.uk).
University health advisers
The University uses members of Unity Health as medical advisers. Dr Richard Wilcox is the senior medical adviser.
Students with medical problems often encounter academic or welfare difficulties as a consequence. The experience of university may be stressful for some students, precipitating medical problems. The medical adviser will offer guidance to supervisors in these circumstances.
Advice may be sought prior to and on return from medical leave of absence, where medical reasons cause repeated absence from course work or delay in completing course work, in cases of special needs or disability, and where special accommodation requirements occur.
Correspondence concerning medical leave of absence should normally be made available to the medical adviser for comment, even when the recommendation has not directly involved the adviser, as the University medical adviser will normally be asked to approve return from medical leave of absence in all cases.
It is normal practice for a medical practitioner to seek permission from their patient before divulging medical information. All medical advice must be dealt with in the strictest confidence.