12 Sep 2023
Students urged to prioritise health
As the new academic year is due to begin, NHS 24 is championing the health and well-being of students beginning their college and university journeys in Scotland. Recognising that many students will be living away from home for the first time, the organisation is highlighting the importance of registering with a GP at their new term-time address, while also ensuring that all vaccines are kept up to date.
To provide students with the essential health knowledge and guidance they may need while studying, NHS 24 has created an online student health resource on NHS inform. Covering topics such as how to access NHS care and information and mental health support, the user-friendly health information site provides all the advice needed with one quick, convenient click.
Dr Ronald Cook, NHS 24’s Associate Medical Director explains why students should put health at the top of preparations for starting uni:
"The lead-up to starting your studies can be an extremely busy time for students, but it's essential to make registering with a GP and dental practice in your new local area a top priority, as these services will be your primary point of contact for healthcare in your new local area. Please do not wait until you are ill before registering with a GP or dentist, as this could delay you accessing the care you need.
“It’s also important to be mindful that as there is more face-to-face contact with lots of new people in colleges and universities, infectious diseases can spread more easily in these kinds of environments. Therefore, it’s also a good idea to check you are fully vaccinated for diseases such a meningitis, HPV, measles, mumps and rubella.”
NHS 24 are engaging directly with students through a series of ‘health roadshows’ at various fresher and welcome events at colleges and universities. This gives students the opportunity to chat in-person with NHS 24 staff and get information on where to access the right care in the right place while studying in Scotland. The team will also be promoting NHS inform and the NHS 24 Online app.
“NHS inform and the NHS 24 Online app are both excellent resources to get free accurate and trusted health advice,” continues Dr Cook.
“Whether you need information on accessing healthcare or medicines, advice on minor ailments or injuries, or where to find health and care services local to you, you will be able to find what you need by visiting NHS inform or downloading the NHS 24 Online app.”
NHS inform’s student health guide can be found at nhsinform.scot/studenthealth
Contact Information
Gillian Morrison
Communications Manager - External
NHS 24
gillian.morrison@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk
- During office hours: hqcommunications@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk (NHS 24 Communications Team)
- Out of hours: 0330 123 3241 (duty press officer)
About us
We are Scotland’s provider of digital and telephone-based health and care services. Our services include:
- 111 – providing urgent care triage for anyone who thinks they need A&E, but it is not life or limb threatening, support for those in mental health distress and advice when their GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed.
- NHSinform.scot - Scotland's online health information service that offers quality assured health and care information including - Symptom checker, Scotland’s Service Directory and Mental health advice and resources.
- Breathing Space a free and confidential phone and web chat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression, or anxiety.
- Care Information Scotland (CIS) a phone, webchat and website service providing information about care services for people living in Scotland.
- Quit Your Way Scotland an advice and support service for anyone trying to stop smoking in Scotland.
- Living Life a phone service that offers support to people in Scotland who are experiencing low mood, mild to moderate depression or symptoms of anxiety through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
NHS 24 Online app
Our app ‘NHS 24 Online’ provides people in Scotland an additional channel to find out more about their symptoms, how to safely self-manage illnesses and conditions, and when and where to see further medical advice if required. NHS 24 Online is free and can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices.
Social media
For more details on our services, including current campaigns and recruitment, have a look at our social media: Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn
Recruitment
For all applicants hoping to join the organisation, our careers section of our website provides key information including:
- links to current vacancies
- videos of staff discussing their roles
- details of the recruitment process
- benefits of working for NHS 24 and top tips for a successful application.
Accessibility
Work is continually ongoing to ensure our services are accessible.
You can access 111 in diverse ways:
- Language Line - If English is not your first or preferred language, you can use the free interpretation service Language Line.
- British Sign Language (BSL) - If you use BSL, you can use the free BSL interpreting video relay service Contact Scotland BSL.
- Relay UK. - If you use a textphone you can contact NHS 24 on 18001 111. Or you can contact NHS 24 with the Relay UK app.
NHS inform provides health information online in 24 different languages, British Sign Language (BSL), Audio, Easy Read, and Large Print. For more information on this see: nhsinform.scot/translations/
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