Register for a local doctor/GP
It’s really important to register with a local doctor’s surgery during your time at the University to ensure you can get access to medical help quickly if you need it.
Don’t forget – you can register as a temporary patient with another GP when you return home during the holidays, so you’ve always got access.
Click here to find a list of local practices.
If you’re a full-time international student studying in the UK for longer than six months, you are eligible to use NHS services. For more information on healthcare in the UK, please visit the Portal page here.
Vaccinations
It’s important to ensure you’re up to date with your vaccinations during your studies:
1. Meningococcal disease causes meningitis and/or septicaemia (blood poisoning) and can be very severe. If you are under 25 years of age and have not yet had the MenACWY vaccine please ask your GP practice about this.
2. You can help to protect yourself and stop the spread of measles and mumps by checking with your GP that you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine.
3. Meningitis can affect anyone of any age, can kill and it can also cause long-term after-effects. Make sure you know the main signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease (meningitis and/or septicaemia).
If you think you or one your friends may have meningitis or septicaemia, please call 999 or visit your nearest A&E department immediately.
4. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious illness caused by an airborne bacteria. TB can cause serious health problems – particularly if it‘s not caught early. But the illness is curable, and testing and treatment are free and confidential in the UK. Click here to view the common symptoms or view the graphic below.
Sexual Health
Chester Students’ Union offer a range of sexual health resources, including STI testing kits, menstruation products, and condoms. These can be found in both of their toilet facilities in the CSU building on Exton Park and are completely free for students to take and use.
Forgotten your pill or had unprotected sex? Maybe you’re worried about something? Here’s what to do and where to go if you need help.
Could I have a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
If you have had unprotected sex (without a condom), there’s a chance you could have caught a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Arrange to get tested if you:
- haven’t got symptoms, but are worried you might have an STI
- have symptoms, such as an unusual discharge
- feel something is wrong
If you’re sexually active, either stop having sex or make sure you use a condom until you get your test results. If you do have an STI, using a condom will help prevent passing it on. Your sexual partners will also need to get tested.
You can get free, confidential advice and treatment from your GP or specialist clinics in your area. Hospitals often have sexual health clinics (also known as GUM clinics), which test for and treat STIs. Most STIs can be easily treated, so don’t be scared of having a test and finding you do have an STI.
Find sexual health information and support
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the UK. It can be easily tested for, and testing is free and confidential at a sexual health clinic or GP surgery. You can also buy chlamydia testing kits to use at home, with free tests available online for 15- to 24-year-olds.