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Health and wellbeing
At MDX, we see your wellbeing holistically, affected by not only your physical and mental health, but also how you spend your leisure time, how you are managing your studies, your career goals, and your identity and sense of community. As such, when it comes to looking after yourself, it’s important to take all of these factors into account.
Support available
Keeping healthy
Preventing ill health is a really important part of your wellbeing and there are lots of steps that you can take to stay as well as possible during your time with us. We have more information below on registering for a GP, finding a dentist, accessing healthcare and keeping up to date with your vaccinations.
If you do need some additional support during your time with us, we have a Counselling and Mental Health Service and a Disability and Dyslexia Service as well as numerous other student support services to help you with your academic studies, transitions through university, financial support and general queries and concerns.
Online wellness platforms
As an MDX student, you have free access to a number of wellness apps from Fika, Togetherall and UNIHEADS. They are full of self-care and mental health resources, designed to help you throughout your MDX journey and beyond.
Health guides
To help you throughout your time at MDX, we've developed a number of health guides to help you on a range of different topics from looking after your mental health to sexual health and pregnancy, sleep and health eating.
We also have detailed information about contagious diseases including COVID-19, flu, MMR and TB to ensue that you keep healthy and in the know.
Student parking
Although parking is limited on-campus, you might be able to apply for a permit if you are already a blue badge holder or have special circumstances.
Accessing healthcare
Watch this webinar with Student Wellbeing Coordinator, Vanessa, and Lead Partner GP, Arun Notaney, from The Uni Doctor.
They answer your questions on how you can register for a GP, why it’s so important, what vaccinations you should make sure you’re up to date with, what kinds of things your GP can support you with, and how to register for The Uni Doctor.
Registering for a GP
It's important that you register with a GP as soon as possible when you join MDX, especially if you're living away from home. This means that you will be able to access healthcare quickly should you become unwell. GPs are often the first point of contact and can refer you to more specialist care should you need it. The NHS has more information on getting medical care as a student.
If you are moving from another GP in England, your new GP should have access to your previous health records.
Any conversations you have with your GP are confidential and will not be discussed with the university or you family, unless you give your GP permission. The only time your GP may speak to the university is if they believe that you are at risk of significant harm to yourself or others. They should always discuss this with you beforehand.
It may be beneficial at times for your GP and wellbeing services in the university to be in contact. For example, if you are receiving treatment under your GP and the university for a mental health condition, it may be useful for your GP and the wellbeing team to discuss your care to offer you a smooth and joined up service.
You can choose to register with any local GP and there are a number of surgeries which are closer to the campus and halls of residence.
The Uni Doctor
The Uni Doctor attend our campus wide events to promote registration to their surgery and to offer free vaccinations. They are located in Wembley and provide:
- Quick registration in just a few minutes
- Option of telephone or in-person appointments
- Video consultations from your mobile phone (starting Autumn 2019)
- SMS/Email communication
- Multilingual including English, Hindi, Gujarati, Arabic, Portuguese
- Access to booking appointments / medical advice via AskNHS
Knowing what healthcare service to use when
You can download the NHS App – a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet and check your symptoms.
| Use a pharmacist if | Use your GP | Call 111 if | Use a hospital A&E | Call 999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
You need advice and over-the-counter treatments for minor ailments like aches and pains, coughs and colds, infections and viruses, allergies, minor injuries, skin conditions and more, saving a visit to the doctor’s surgery. There’s no need for an appointment. Opening hours tend to be Monday – Friday but this may vary. | Your GP should be your first point of contact for health issues that you can’t treat yourself with the help of your local pharmacy or information on NHS.uk. Opening hours tend to be Monday-Friday but this may vary. | You need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency. You think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service. You don't know who to call or you don't have a GP to call. You need health information or reassurance about what to do next. Opening hours: 24/7, 365 | An A&E department (also known as emergency department or casualty) deals with genuine life-threatening emergencies. A&E is not an alternative to a GP appointment. Opening hours: 24/7, 365 | For immediate, life-threatening emergencies and where you cannot go to A&E yourself. Opening hours: 24/7, 365 |
Remember that if you have symptoms of Covid-19 – a new, continuous cough, a high temperature/fever, a loss or change in taste or smell, you should not leave your accommodation and should instead get tested for Covid-19. If you feel very unwell you should call 999.
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International students
As an international student, you will only be able to register with an NHS practice you are enrolled on a full-time course that lasts for more than six months. If your country does not offer reciprocated treatment with the UK, you should take out insurance.
If you're able to, it's important that you register with a GP as soon as you can after arriving in the UK. Your new GP will process your registration and can provide you with an NHS number which you will need to have hospital treatment or if you need to be referred to a specialist.
We recommend that your inform your home doctor that you are moving to the UK and to ask if you need any vaccinations. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please ask your home doctor to write a letter explaining these along with any medication you are receiving (this could include a copy of your prescription with English translation if required).
You can pass this information to your new GP in the UK as this will help to ensure continuity in your treatment.
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Vaccinations
We strongly recommend that you ensure that you have received vaccinations for Meningitis and Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) before you join Middlesex. If you have not been immunised, you should speak to your GP about getting vaccinated as soon as you have registered.
There is more information on Meningitis, Mumps, Measles, MMR vaccinations and symptoms to look out for on the NHS website as well as further details on which vaccinations you may need.
Additional health services
Pharmacies
Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals and are able to give you advice and recommend treatments on minor ailments such as colds, coughs and sprains. You do not need to register or book an appointment to receive treatment at a pharmacy and they are often open later in the day than GP practices.
If your Pharmacist is not able to support you, they will signpost you to your GP.
The closest Pharmacy to our campus is:
C K Pharmacy
9 Church Road
Hendon
London NW4 4EB
Tel: 020 8203 1007.
Hours: 9.00am to 7.00pm weekdays | 9.00am to 2.00pm Saturdays | Closed on Sundays.
NHS walk-in centres
Urgent care centres can provide you with urgent medical attention for injuries that are not life threatening. You can simply turn up at an urgent care centre without an appointment, although you may have to wait.
Find a walk in/urgent treatment centre
Finding a dentist
Once you have registered with a GP, you can be treated by a dentist.
Dental treatment is not usually offered for free in the UK, although NHS practices charge much less than private practices. You may be able to claim some of the money for the treatment, depending on your financial circumstances.
If you do require financial support, you can speak to the Student Welfare Advice Team who will discuss your options with you.
Support for domestic abuse
We recognise that domestic abuse is a widespread problem that can affect victims both physically and mentally. It is not restricted to purely impacting on an individual’s personal life.
We are committed to highlighting the support that is available to those that are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.
Emergency care
If you or someone else becomes unwell on campus, please call campus security immediately on 020 8411 6200 and ask for a first aider. They will be able help and/or call an ambulance should it be needed. If you are in the halls of residence, the halls staff are on hand to help you.
For emergency mental health support, follow the Care and Concern procedure by calling the security office and asking to speak to the Designated Safeguarding Officer (office hours). Out of hours first aid is covered by security officers and caretakers who are trained as emergency first aiders. We also have detailed information on external mental health crisis and emergency support.
If you have an urgent medical problem off-campus (within the UK) and you're not sure what support to access, you can call the NHS on 111 or visit their website. They will ask you about your symptoms and give you advice on how to access support or put you directly in touch with the appropriate practitioner.
If you become unwell and you are not sure what health service you might require, you can download Ask NHS on Android or Apple. This app will help to guide you to the best service to help you.
In an emergency you should call 999. If you are abroad, you should speak with your doctor or go to the nearest hospital.