College Nurse FAQs

How do I book an appointment to see the College Nurse?

You need an appointment to see the College Nurse. Book your appointment via Moodle.

Where is the College Nurse's room?

The Nurse's Clinic is in the Wellbeing Centre in Howard Lodge, but if you are not able to access this room, the College Nurse can arrange to meet you at another suitable location in College.

When are appointments with the College Nurse available?
I am late returning my Health Questionnaire because...
 

(a) I am waiting for my vaccination history from my doctor, and/or
(b) I have been unable to access my emails until recently, and/or
(c) I was caught up in work.

Please complete and return your form as soon as you are able. Ideally, this information should be received by the College Nurse before you arrive at Downing.

There seems to be a problem with the link to my Health Questionnaire. I have entered my details, but it says the link may be out of date/broken. Please advise?

Please try the link in the email again. In the past this message has appeared when students have accidently used the wrong email address, included spaces or used the wrong format. You may like to consider:

  • using an alternative email address
  • checking there are no spaces at the end of your lines (especially important if you are copying and pasting your USN)
  • checking that your date of birth is entered in the format requested

If you still experience a problem, please email College Nurse.

I am an international student and would like to ask about the Health Service in the UK.  Will I have free health insurance in the UK as a student?

If your course lasts more than 6 months and is full time, then as soon as you are registered with a local family doctor (General Practitioner/GP) in Cambridge, you will have as much National Health Service (NHS) cover as any UK citizen (except possibly for the treatment of any pre-existing conditions). Therefore you are strongly advised to choose and register with a GP as soon as possible after your arrival in Cambridge.

If you already have medical insurance in your home country, you may wish to check whether this can be extended to cover your stay in the UK.

The payment office at the local general hospital (Addenbrooke's) advises that all international students obtain private healthcare insurance to cover the following potential health-related costs:

  • Loss of fees, if you are unable to complete your course
  • Additional treatment and medical expenses not covered by the National Health Service
  • Costs of returning home, if a relative is taken ill
  • Costs of a relative visiting you in the UK, if you fall ill
  • Returning to your home country for treatment

Further information is available from the University International Student Team.

My partner will be joining me in the UK once I have started my studies at Cambridge. I would like to know if private insurance is required for them and/or will they be able to use the Health Service?

If your course lasts for longer than 6 months and is full time, then National Health Service care and treatment will be available to both of you, as much as a UK citizen (except possibly for the treatment of any pre-existing conditions), once you are both registered with a local family doctor (General Practitioner/GP) in Cambridge, assuming that your spouse/partner will be living with you while you study. Therefore you are strongly advised to choose and register with a GP as soon as possible after your arrival in Cambridge.

If you already have medical insurance in your home country, you may wish to check whether this can be extended to cover your stay in the UK.

The payment office at the local general hospital (Addenbrooke's) advises that all international students obtain private healthcare insurance to cover the following potential health-related costs:

  • Loss of fees, if you are unable to complete your course
  • Additional treatment and medical expenses not covered by the National Health Service
  • Costs of returning home, if a relative is taken ill
  • Costs of a relative visiting you in the UK, if you fall ill
  • Returning to your home country for treatment

Further information is available from the University International Student Team.

How do I book an appointment to see a doctor?

To book an appointment with a doctor, you must first be registered with a Cambridge General Practitioner / GP (Family Doctor). Once registered, simply telephone the GP reception requesting an appointment: urgent or non-urgent, depending on your need.

Is it necessary for me to register with a GP in Cambridge?

You should make time to register with a Cambridge GP, as soon as you can after arrival, so that you can receive emergency care if you need it, and access health services quickly and easily while you're at University. This is especially important if you have an ongoing/complicated health condition. When required, Cambridge GPs are used to liaising with other Practices and Hospitals across the country. Being registered here in Cambridge will not preclude you from seeing your GP when you are at home (this can be done by completing a temporary resident’s form). Cambridge GPs have extensive experience of dealing with students, and working with the University and Colleges. You will need GP registration in case of illness in the lead-up to, or during, your examinations and if you need to apply for certain special exam arrangements or allowances to be made.