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The NHS app is designed to give you a simple and secure way to access a range of services, including booking appointments and requesting medication. You can download it on your smartphone or tablet via Google Play or the App Store. You must be registered with a doctor’s (GP’s) surgery to use it.
Stay Healthy
This page includes information and advice on staying healthy at University and the health services that can support you if you are physically unwell. If you are looking for support with your mental health and wellbeing, please see our wellbeing web pages for Devon and Cornwall.
Feeling unwell? Who to contact.
If you are feeling unwell, there are a range of local health services available to you. The one you should use depends on the seriousness of your symptoms. Choosing the right service means you could get help faster and avoids putting extra pressure on our local health services:
The NHS website is always available for health advice and guidance.
Pharmacists can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, rashes, earache, cystitis, tummy trouble and aches and pains. Find your nearest pharmacy here.
Doctor's (GP) surgery/Student Health Centre can treat all and recurring medical conditions and can refer you to other medical services for specialist treatment. Both online and in-person appointments should be booked in advance and you must be registered to receive care. We recommend you register with the Student Health Centre in Exeter, The Penryn Surgery in Cornwall or a doctor's surgery near to where you live.
Call NHS 111 or go online to 111.nhs.uk if you’re feeling unwell, unsure or if you need health advice and guidance in non-life-threatening emergencies. You can also call 111 if you need mental health support - choose 'option 2' for mental health. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Walk-in or urgent care centres provide services for when you need medical attention that’s not life-threatening, such as cuts, sprains, strain, bruises, itchy rashes, stings, minor burns and infections.
- In Exeter, the nearest walk-centre is in Sidwell Street, Exeter.
- In Penryn, you can use the Falmouth urgent care centre at Falmouth Hospital.
Visit Accident and Emergency (A&E) or call 999 and ask for the ambulance service for serious or life-threatening conditions like severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, severe chest pain, severe burns, severe allergic reactions, major trauma and loss of consciousness. There is an A&E department at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital, in Exeter and at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro (where it is called the Emergency Department).
On campus: If you have an accident or medical emergency while on campus call 999 and ask for an ambulance first, and then contact your campus security team through the Safe Zone app, or call them on,
- Exeter campuses - Estate Patrol: 01392 722222.
- Penryn Campus - Safety and Security: on 01326 254444.
Absence reporting: If you're unwell and miss a learning session, don't forget to report your absence.
NHS Quicker
NHS Quicker is a free app that provides live waiting and travel times for NHS services providing urgent care across Devon and Cornwall.
The app provides information about healthcare services available to you based on your location, helping you to choose the right service and spend less time waiting.
Use NHS Quicker in your web browser
You can also download the NHS Quicker app to use on your phone:
The app has been developed by the Health and Care IMPACT Network, founded through a collaboration between our Business School and the NHS.
If you have an emergency and go to a hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) department, you will be treated for free. All primary healthcare, including visits to a doctor’s surgery (also known as a GP surgery) and walk-in centres, is also free.
See more information on eligibility to access other medical treatment in the UK depending on your circumstances on the International Student Support web pages.
Healthcare services
While at Uni we recommend you register with a local doctor's (GP) surgery as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you are unwell.
- At our Exeter Campuses, register with the Student Health Centre.
- On our Penryn Campus, register with The Penryn Surgery. You can fill out their online registration form or pick up a paper registration form from the Compass Helpdesk.
- If you’re living off campus, you can register with any doctor’s (GP) surgery local to you. Find a doctor’s (GP) surgery near you.
If you have a health condition with regular medication, please register quickly and request an appointment before you run out.
You can still see your usual doctor/GP as a guest when you go home for holidays.
Dentists provide treatment to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and free of pain. The NHS advises you have a dental check up every 2 years. There will usually be a charge for dentist check-ups and treatment for over 18s, even if you are with an NHS dentist.
The NHS recommends that you have your eyes tested at least every 2 years.
The NHS website offers an overview of NHS eye care services and allows you to search for services near you.
Many opticians operate from high street shops and there is normally a charge for an eye test.
Vaccinations and preventing illness
Meningitis is a life-threatening condition, so it’s important to make sure you’re vaccinated and know the signs and symptoms. Symptoms can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all.
Early symptoms can include:
• fever with cold hands and feet,
• headache,
• vomiting,
• diarrhoea,
• muscle pain and
• stomach cramps.
If you think you or someone you know has these symptoms call NHS 111 or your doctor straight away. If you or the person concerned becomes seriously ill, then dial 999.
Vaccination against meningitis
The MenACWY vaccine protects against four types of meningitis and it is free for students from the Student Health Centre on Streatham Campus, The Penryn Surgery in Cornwall or from your local doctor. If you’re unsure whether you have already had the vaccine, please contact your doctor to find out.
Please still be aware of the symptoms of meningitis, even if you have been vaccinated, as the vaccine doesn't protect against all strains.
Measles is a viral disease that can cause severe illness, hospitalisation and in extreme cases death. It is almost entirely preventable if you have two doses of the Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.
The MMR vaccine protects against three serious illnesses,
• measles
• mumps
• rubella (german measles)
Mixing and socialising with groups of friends can put you at greater risk of infectious diseases like these. Getting vaccinated is important as these three conditions are highly infectious and can lead to complications.
Most people had their MMR vaccine when they were children, however many may have missed out. Contact your doctor to find out whether you’ve been vaccinated, and if you missed out, make an appointment to get your vaccination now. It’s never too late to catch up, and the MMR vaccine is free on the NHS, whatever your age. Find out more.
The HPV vaccine protects against genital warts and cancers caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), such as cervical cancer. If you're eligible for the vaccine it’s important you’ve had two doses.
If you missed either of your HPV vaccines at school, you can still ask your doctor (GP) for this vaccine up until your 25th birthday.
It’s important to remember that to keep yourself and those around you safe and well, you should try to stay at home if you are feeling unwell and not visit campus. This will minimise the risk of infection of seasonal illnesses like colds and flu.
If you do come to campus with a cough or cold remember:
• CATCH IT - always carry tissues and use them to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze;
• BIN IT – dispose of used tissues as soon as possible;
• KILL IT – clean your hands with soap and water as soon as you can and make sure you wash them frequently. If you are not near a sink, using hand gel can prevent the spread of germs.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are available in England to those who are eligible. If you are in an eligible group, make sure you are registered with a local doctor and you will be contacted to book your vaccination.
Scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites. It’s spread through close skin contact, and anyone can get it. It’s got nothing to do with hygiene and won’t go away on its own.
Symptoms
- Intense itching, especially at night
- A raised rash or red spots
Stop the spread of scabies
Everyone in the household should be treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms.•
Treatment
- A pharmacist can recommend a cream or lotion to effectively treat the symptoms.
- Wash all clothes and bedding in the house at 60°C
- Put clothing that cannot be washed in a sealed bag for 3 days until the mites die
Don't:
- Have close physical contact with anyone until you have completed the full course of treatment
- Share bedding, clothing or towels with someone with scabies