International Student Health
Student Health at Chichester
It is very important that you look after your health
While you are studying in the UK it is very important that you look after your health. You need to be aware of the resources available to you and how to access them.
The University has a Student Health Centre on each campus where you can access information. You can visit the Nurse Health Adviser there if you have any health concerns. Visit our website for opening hours (term time only).
You can contact the Nurse Health Adviser:
Email: studenthealth@chi.ac.uk
Telephone: 01243 816111 Office: 07739 983703 mobile
Please visit www.chi.ac.uk/studenthealth
For students staying less than 6 months
If your course lasts less than six months, you should take out medical insurance from a reputable company before leaving your country. Although emergencies will be dealt with, no other treatment is available to you unless you have insurance or can pay for the treatment yourself.
For students staying 6 months and over
If you are applying for a visa to study in the UK for more than 6 months you will pay a health surcharge fee as part of your visa application process. The fee is currently £470 per year. By paying this fee you will have access to the National Health Service (NHS).
Exception: If you are an EU/EEA national (or a family member) and have applied to stay in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme you will continue to have free access to the NHS services.
Do I need private medical/travel insurance?
Even if you can be treated by the NHS for most health needs, the NHS does not cover all risks. You should consider taking out a travel/medical insurance before leaving your country of residence. Additional insurance cover can be helpful in many situations e.g. if you fall ill and want to transported home for treatment or if you want a family member to stay in the UK to look after you. For example, Endsleigh and Cover 4 Insurance offer specialist insurances for international students in the UK.
We strongly recommend that all students register with a GP local to the University Campus; it will still be possible for you to see your ‘home’ GP during holidays as a temporary patient. The nurse health advisers will help you through the registration process.
We maintain close links with four local surgeries.
You can find a list of local Surgeries and dentists on our Student Health and Wellbeing page.
If you need medical help out of hours but it is not an emergency call the NHS 111 number.
Appointments are usually made by telephoning the surgery early in the morning. You need to check with your chosen surgery as different systems are in operation.
If you require medication the doctor will give you a written prescription which you will need to take to a pharmacy (chemist).
Appointments are usually made by telephoning the surgery early in the morning. You need to check with your chosen surgery as different systems are in operation.
If you require medication the doctor will give you a written prescription which you will need to take to a pharmacy (chemist).
The Pharmacy (or chemists) is the place to go to have prescriptions made up. Pharmacists provide a range of services including giving advice on how to treat and recognise minor illnesses and sexual health and contraceptive advice; this could save you a trip to the GP. The pharmacist should be able to tell you if you need to see your GP. If you need to talk in confidence ask the pharmacist if there is somewhere private where you can talk. You can use any pharmacy you wish.
The pharmacy sells some medication over the counter, which means they can be bought without a prescription. The contents and action of the medicine will be the same as the prescribed medicine but it may be cheaper. Ask your GP if the medicine that has been prescribed for you is available over the counter or ask the pharmacist when you hand your prescription to them. Most pharmacies offer the morning after pill for a charge, following a consultation with the pharmacist.
Anyone who is involved in a life threatening medical emergency should telephone 999; ask for an ambulance and say where you are and what is wrong. The ambulance should take you to the nearest Accident and Emergency department. This service is free but should only be used for emergencies when urgent treatment is needed immediately.
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation.
Call 111 if:
- 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
There is also a confidential interpreter service, which is available in many languages. Simply mention the language you wish to use when the NHS 111 operator answers your call.
Visit the Campus Health Centre and drop in and see the Nurse Health Adviser.
As Nurse Health Advisers we offer:
- Confidential support
- Information on a variety of health-related issues
- Advice and treatment for minor concerns
- Information on sexual health, free condoms and Chlamydia screening
- Sign posting to other professionals, both within and external to, the University
- Concerns regarding friends, family or other students.
- Academic issues relating to health and wellbeing
- Mitigating circumstances.
- Healthy eating / Eating disorders
- Self-harm
- Stress / anxiety / homesickness
- Bullying
- Sexual Assault
- Help to stop smoking
- Drug and Alcohol support
Nurse Health Adviser : 07739 983703
If you are eligible for NHS treatment you can receive your dental treatment at a reduced rate. You need to register with a dentist who accepts NHS patients. NHS dentists are extremely difficult to find and it is advisable that you have a check-up and resolve any problems before arriving at University if possible. Generally you will have to pay for a private dentist.
To find a dentist go to https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist.
If you have dental trauma and bleeding following an accident it is advisable that you go to the nearest Accident and Emergency unit at the local hospital. Otherwise contact:
Jubilee Dental Centre
St Richards Hospital, Chichester.
Phone 01243 831 790 after 5.30 for same day appointment.
Open Monday to Friday 5.30pm - 10.00 pm.
Saturday, Sunday, bank holidays 8.30 am - 1.00pm.
The University of Chichester welcomes students with disabilities and additional learning needs. The disability team provides a range of support services to students with disabilities, continuing health conditions, mental health conditions and specific learning needs.
The disability advisor can provide support and advice to students regarding the impact of their disability at university. If you have a disability or health condition that affects your living accommodation requirements in any way, you must contact the disability service at the earliest possible opportunity.
You must also contact this team if you need any adjustments to your teaching and learning because of a disability or health condition including extra time in exams, adapted teaching materials etc.
Student support is available in New Hall Bishop Otter campus and in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), Bognor Campus.
If you have any concerns please contact the Disability and Dyslexia Service:
Telephone: 01243 812076. Email: dyslexia@chi.ac.uk or disability@chi.ac.uk.
Appointments for the Disability Service can be booked through the Support and information Zone (SIZ) desk on both the campuses in the LRC libraries.
Being a student can be very stressful. Whilst there are many positive aspects of student life, there are also many pressures. You need to look after your physical AND mental health so that you are fit to face the challenges presented.
Leaving home and travelling to study in a new country can be an especially stressful experience. Even though it may be something you have planned and prepared for, the extent of the change and the effects it has on you may take you by surprise. If you find that you are feeling stressed by the effects of the change, it might be helpful to realise that your experience is quite normal. This applies whatever country you come from and wherever you are going to study, even though some cultures are more similar than others because of geographic, historic, demographic and other connections.
What should I do if I need help?
Anything that helps you find trusting relationships, gives you a sense that you belong and that you’re valued will improve your mental health and wellbeing. There are lots of different people in the University who can offer you help and support.
UinMind Mental Health Advice Service
The UinMind Mental Health Advice Service aims to empower students to manage their mental health needs in order to achieve their learning potential and get the most out of their university experience. The service covers both Campuses and is easily accessible and confidential. It includes advice, guidance and information for students concerned about their own or another students’ mental wellbeing.
- UinMind support can take various forms, including:
- Direct one-to-one support by appointment or phone.
- Advice and guidance about medication and mental health conditions
- Response to crisis situations / follow up to incidents.
Appointments can be booked at the SIZ or by emailing UinMind@chi.ac.uk.
UinMind is primarily based in room HC5, Student Health Centre, New Hall, BOC and at BRC in the Student Health Office, Student Support Services block, on the ground floor adjacent to the LRC.
Our student advisers offers a friendly, helpful and confidential service for all students who need information or help with general enquiries.
They support your experience as a student by listening and advising; offering a range of professional services (including mediation); working with you to increase your sense of wellbeing, and enabling you to develop as a fulfilled and valued member of our University community.
Appointments can be booked at the SIZ or by emailing AdviseU@chi.ac.uk.
Information and advice on all methods of contraception can be obtained from:
Bognor Regis Hospital Tel:07984 974206 during clinic time
Monday and Wednesdays 17.30 – 19.00 drop-in
Chapel Street Clinic Tel 01243 623 300
The Chapel Street Clinic, in Chichester, offers contraception services, pregnancy testing and confidential advice to all, through walk in sessions and by appointment.
Monday 13.00 – 15.45 drop in
Tuesday 17.00 -19.00 drop in
Wednesday 09.30 – 11.45 by appointment
Thursdays 14.30 – 17.00 drop in for ‘young people’
Friday 13.30 – 16.15 drop-in
For clinic venues and opening times please visit their website: www.sexualhealthwestsussex.nhs.uk or telephone 045 111 3456.
If you are worried during your stay about sexually transmitted infections you can contact the university Nurse Health Advisers or the local genitourinary department at the Fletcher Unit based at St Richards Hospital.
Fletcher Unit, St Richards Hospital Outpatients, telephone 01243 831 607
Bognor Regis Hospital: Telephone 01243 865 418 during clinic time only.
Chapel Street Clinic, Chichester: Telephone 01243 623300
Visit https://www.sexualhealthwestsussex.nhs.uk/ for more information.
Bersted Green Surgery, Bognor Regis
01243 821392 | 01243 864843
Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital
01243 865418
Chapel Street Clinic, Chichester
01243 623300
Disability Coordinator
Email: disabilityacademicskills@chi.ac.uk
01243 812076
Fletcher Unit, St Richards Hospital
Email: sexual.health@rws-tr.nhs.uk
01243 831607
International Student Adviser
Email: international@chi.ac.uk
01243 812146
Jubilee Dental Centre
01243 831790
Lavant Road Surgery, Chichester
www.lavantsurgery.co.uk
01243 527264
Life Centre
(Charity supporting survivors of rape and sexual abuse)
01243 779196
NHS direct
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
111 or 08 45 46 47
St Richards Hospital, Chichester
01243 788122
The Samaritans
www.samaritans.org
116 123
jo@samaritans.org
Student Health
Email: studenthealth@chi.ac.uk
Bognor Regis Campus: 01243 812122 / 07739983703
Bishop Otter Campus: 01243 816111 / 07739983703
