About the College Surgery

The College Surgery is located on campus to ensure that you can be treated quickly if you become unwell while at the College. In addition, the Phoenix Surgery and main Hospital are nearby in Cirencester to help with any more serious medical problems. The College Nurse and Doctors are able to help you with a range of medical issues, including;

• Minor injuries and illnesses
• Prescription medicine
• Travel information
• Sexual Health and Contraception
• Links to the Student Counselling Service
• Support to Stop Smoking
• Asthma
• Diabetes

Registering at the Surgery

On arrival at the College you will need to register with the College doctor (unless you already done so with a doctor in the district). Your own doctor at home will still see you as a temporary patient if you become ill during the holidays. Please bring your medical card with you when you register at College. If not available, you will be given a document which will enable you to register with a doctor.

Booking Appointments

The Nurse runs an open door approach, but is also happy to make appointments with students. Appointments will be required in order to see the doctor; these can be made in advance or some times on the same day. 

You can make an appointment in their clinic by either of the following:

• Phone the nurse on ext: 2216
• Phone the Phoenix surgery on tel: (01285) 652056
• Email the clinic on clinic@rac.ac.uk
• Drop in to see the nurse to make the appointment in person

Please feel able to explain your problem to the nurse as she may be able to help you. We do not normally mind which doctor you see, however when dealing with a chronic or ongoing problem, it would be helpful if you could see the same doctor.

In addition the Doctors run a clinic from 12:30pm - 1:15pm on the Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Emergency Visits

If you are unable to attend the College surgery, then please request a visit before 10:00 am. This is done by ringing the main surgery (Tel: 01285 652056). If you telephone after hours i.e. when the surgery is closed, there will be a telephone message informing you how to contact the duty doctor (please have a pen ready).

Prescription Charges

Each NHS prescription item now costs £7.40. Automatic exemption is given if you are under 19 and in full time education. Those on low income may also be exempt. For further information, there is a booklet on NHS prescription charges available in the College surgery.

Request Prescriptions

Please lodge your request with the nurse and allow 24-hours notice. It will be left in your pigeon hole for collection.

Repeat Prescriptions

You can request a repeat prescription by ticking the appropriate box for the required information on the right hand side of your prescription.

Requests can be:

• Posted to the surgery
• Put in the repeat prescription box in the porters lodge

There is also an online facility – please go to the Phoenix Surgery website and request Emis Access.

Travel

If vaccinations are required, please do not leave it until the last minute. Six to eight weeks are often required for the injections to have maximum effect. Ask the nurse about what you need and when you need it.

Dentistry

It may be advisable to make an appointment with your home dentist but incase of an emergency please contact:

• Gloucester (01452 380073)
• Cheltenham (08444 771872)
• Swindon (01793 889428/428580)

Details for NHS dentists can be found through NHS Choices (http://www.nhs.uk)

Sexual Health

Advice and screening for both male and female students available. Chlamydia screening can now be self taken so drop in for a kit.

Sexual Health clinics for more extensive testing;

• Great Western Hospital Swindon Tel: 01793 604038
• Gloucester Royal Hospital Tel: 08454 226464
• Cheltenham General Hospital Tel: 08454 224279

Family Planning Clinics;

• Cheltenham General Hospital Tel: 08454 222374
• Gloucester Royal Hospital Tel: 08454 226201
• Cirencester Hospital Tel: 01285 884628 ( weds evenings only 6-8 pm)

Contraception

The College doctors are fully trained in providing contraceptive advice. However should you wish to see a lady doctor, this can be arranged at our main surgery. The nurse is also trained to provide contraception and sexual health care advice. Free condoms and pregnancy testing available.

Emergency Contraception

This is available through the nurse upon request and from the following services;

• Phoenix Surgery in Chesterton lane
• Chesterton Pharmacy in Chesterton Lane
• Cirencester Hospital
• Various other chemists will also offer this service
• Indigo young people’s drop in on Thursday afternoons from 3:45pm - 5:00pm at Phoenix surgery

Woman’s Health

Appointments available to cover women’s health issues, contraception and cervical screening.

Are you stressed?

Many students find themselves becoming stressed, particularly towards examinations. Help is available to try and combat this common problem. Please contact the College Surgery if you require further advice.

The Student Counselling Service

The Student Counselling Service is a welfare initiative available to students to give counselling, signposting and support. Students can call for counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Calls from the UK are on the 0800 tariff which is free from most landlines (please check with your supplier for confirmation).

Telephone: 0800 358 4158

Useful Telephone No's and Resources

• Campus Surgery (01285 652531 EXT 2216)
• Student Counselling Service – (0800 3584158)
• Cotswold Councelling – (01285 885830)
• Samaritan – (08457 909090)
• Eating Disorders – (0870 7703256)
• Local support groups (01285 770385)
• Independent Trust – Drug and Alcohol Service (0845 863323)
• NHS Direct (0845 4647)
• PatientUK