General Guidelines for sick students.

'''Guidelines for sick students'''

If you receive a call from a student or host family who has a sick student, then please be sympathetic and listen to their concerns carefully. Your job is to explain the options available to them and not make decisions on their behalf. You can give your opinion of what course of action you believe they should take but ultimately it has to be their choice.

·        If a student has minor symptoms suggest that they visit the local pharmacist who will be able to prescribe medication for them. Pharmacists are trained professionals and if they see the patient and think they need to see a doctor they will inform the student. Pharmacists are open 7 days a week.

·        If they want to see a doctor and can wait for normal doctor hours, then pass this information on to the customer support team who will do this and inform the student of the appointment time. If they want a doctor to come out and visit them, call the NHS helpline who will help arrange this if it is needed.

·        If the student feels that their need is urgent but not life threatening, call NHS direct on 111, you will need to be with the student when you call. If the student is in a host family ask them to make this call and then call them back to follow up and find out what advice has been given, if they are in residence the RA can also make the call -  if the student needs to go to hospital and they are under 18 they must not go alone so either with the host family, an RA or yourself. '''You must contact a colleague and divert the emergency phone to them if you are unable to answer calls for any period of time. The emergency phone needs to always be available for our customer to call.'''

·        If the student needs urgent medical care call 999 immediately and ensure that you are with them or meet them at the hospital. Again, forward calls to a colleague and speak to a senior member of staff for extra support.

'''We are not doctors. Do not assume or take chances with student health. If in doubt, call the NHS helpline who are trained professionals and able to make informed choices.'''