Freshers’ Week: accessing health care in your area

Starting university can be really daunting, so Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership have put together some helpful tips to make the change that little bit easier. If you are moving away from home for your studies, it is important that you know everything about accessing health care in your new area.

GP Practice.

You will need to register with a local GP Practice as soon as possible. This is important so that you can have access to health care services, especially if you have ongoing health conditions like asthma, diabetes or epilepsy.

If you are a full time international student and studying for over 6 months, you are eligible to use NHS services.

You can choose to register at any local GP Practice. There may also be a health care centre attached to your university which is likely to be the most convenient and the professionals there will be well experienced with the health needs of students.

Find out how to register with a GP surgery 

Register with a dentist.

Dental issues can be a real pain and they can not be treated by your GP. Make sure you register with a dental practice close to you so you can get the help you need if you do. This will also allow you to keep up to date with any check ups you would usually attend at home.

Note that not all treatment is free however you may be able to apply for help with costs.

If you find your self with a dental emergency like pain in your teeth, mouth or gums and you do not have a dentist or it is closed, you can call the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care Service on 0333 3323800. You will be assessed by a healthcare professional who can provide self-care or safe pain relief advice, or book a face to face if needed. Please be aware that there is a NHS patient charge of £26.80 for each appointment but it is free to children. For more information you can visit the Get To Know Where To Go Primary Care Booklet online.

Contraception

Even if you are not sexually active and don’t plan on being, it is important to be prepared. Did you know contraception and condoms are free for everyone from any GP Practice?

It also good to know that sexual health clinics can help you with things like sexually transmitted diseases, genital warts, advise on how to have safer sex and much more.

Get to know where your nearest sexual health clinic is

Vaccinations

MenACWY vaccine

The MenACWY vaccine protects you from four different strains of meningitis and septicaemia. Did you know that if you are going to university or college you are eligible for the vaccine?

Before you start university, you should check if or not you have had your vaccine, if not you can ask your GP Practice for it up until your 25^th birthday. It is advised to have this before the start of the academic year as in the first few weeks of term, you are more likely to come in to contact with new people.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine

Universities advise that students should be immunised against measles, mumps and rubella. The MMR vaccine is part of the routine NHS childhood immunisation schedule, therefore most young people who have grew up in England will have already received 2 doses in their childhood.

You should check with your GP Practice if you have had your vaccine. If not, the MMR vaccine is being offered in pharmacies. 

Find the nearest pharmacy 

HPV vaccine

This vaccine helps protect against genital warts and cancers caused by human papilloma virus, such as cervical cancer. It is important that you have had 2 doses. If you have missed either vaccine at your school you can still ask for the HPV vaccine at your GP Practice until your 25^th birthday.

Flu jab

If you have asthma or need a steroid inhaler or tablets, you should get your annual flu vaccine. You should also ensure you have your annual vaccine if you have any long term conditions like kidney disease, diabetes or sickle cell disease.