In order to access NHS healthcare in the UK, including treatment for mental health conditions, you must register with a doctor (also known as a General Practitioner or GP). Every Oxford College has an arrangement with a local GP surgery (medical centre that employs several GPs), known as their "College doctor." For Nuffield, this is Beaumont Elms Practice (previously named 19 Beaumont Street). The Beaumont Elms Practice is very close to the main Nuffield site, and you can register with them via the website at any time.

The College doctors are familiar with university forms and procedures should you ever need evidence of a medical condition for university purposes. Your care remains confidential, as with any other doctor.

To make an appointment at the GP surgery, students should either phone the reception team during working hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00am-6:30pm) or get in touch via the website. Consultations may be either telephone or face-to-face.

Outside of usual working hours students should contact the 111 service if they need urgent medical advice.

More information about the College doctor can be found on their website. There is also an introductory video, which we encourage all new students to watch.

The National Health Service (NHS) is the national healthcare system in the United Kingdom, which is publicly funded. In order to access NHS healthcare in the UK, you must be registered with a GP (General Practitioner) such as the College Doctor. To see a specialist, you must usually be referred by your GP.

Students from the UK or Ireland, or those with indefinite leave to remain or those who have been granted pre-settled status or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are eligible for free treatment under the NHS.

Students who require a visa (those not from the UK or Ireland, or those who do not hold indefinite leave to remain or pre-settled or settled status) and are studying full time for more than 6 months pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application, and this entitles them to access the NHS services free of charge.

A guide to healthcare in the UK can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.

If you are struggling with your mental health and wellbeing, there are a range of resources and services which can support you.

  • Your GP. If you have a mental health condition then your GP can support you and provide treatment, including prescribing medication. If your mental health issue is complex, then your GP may refer you for specialist support.
  • Mischka Byworth, the Nuffield College counsellor, is usually based in College on Tuesdays and is available to students, staff and Fellows for short-term counselling, with in-person and online sessions as appropriate. You can get in touch with Mischka via email at counsellor@nuffield.ox.ac.uk. 
  • The Oxford University Counselling Service provides free individual counselling, group counselling and workshops, as well as a range of online resources to support mental health and wellbeing.
  • Nuffield subscribes to the BUPA Healthy Minds Employee Assistance Plan, and this is available to our students as well as staff. There is a 24/7 confidential telephone support line, providing advice, support and onward referrals and signposting, including to counsellors and other mental health support such as online CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy).
  • Oxfordshire Mind provides a range of non-clinical mental health services. You can book a free, confidential Options Session with them where you discuss your mental health, lifestyle and wellbeing and relevant services that may be useful for you.
  • NHS Oxfordshire Talking Therapies (previously named TalkingSpace Plus) is an NHS service providing psychological therapies in Oxford. They actively work with people struggling with depression and anxiety, helping them move forward and recover using psychological therapies that work. A GP referral is not necessary – you can self refer via their website or by phone.
  • The Oxford University Disability Advisory Service can support students with long-term mental health conditions (lasting or likely to last 12 months or more), specific learning difficulties and autism spectrum conditions.

Dial 999 if you think that your life, or that of another person, is at immediate risk.

Call 111 for the 24/7 Mental Health Helpline if you need urgent mental health support. This service is available to people of all ages in Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire.

Oxfordshire Safe Haven is an out-of-hours, non-clinical space offering crisis support, signposting, safety planning and listening support every day. You must call the referral line first on 01865 903 037.

(Information about accessing professional counselling and talking therapies can be found above, under Mental Health and Wellbeing.)

If you are feeling low or distressed and want to talk to someone, there are a range of helplines and services available with trained volunteers who can listen and support you, either over the phone or via other means such as text, webchat or face to face.

  • Oxford Nightline is a completely independent listening, support and information service run for and by students of Oxford and Oxford Brookes universities. Nightline is open 8:00pm-8:00am from 0th Week to 9th week of each Oxford term. Call 01865 270270 or get in touch through instant message.
  • Student Space is a support service run by the UK student mental health charity Student Minds. There is a free telephone helpline, 0808 808 4994, open 3:00pm-12:00am every day, as well as text message, webchat and email support.
  • Mental Health Helpline for urgent mental health support - Oxfordshire's 24/7 Mental Health Hotline can be accessed by calling 111.
  • Oxfordshire Safe Haven is an out-of-hours, non-clinical space offering crisis support, signposting, safety planning and listening support every day. You must call the referral line first on 01865 903 037.
  • The Samaritans - When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen at any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult. Call free on 116 123 or email.
  • Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service. Texting the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 starts a conversation with a trained Shout Volunteer, who will text you back and forth. You only need to share what you feel comfortable with and the volunteer will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better.
  • CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) - CALM is a charity that supports people who are feeling down or have hit a wall for any reason. Call their helpline on 0800 585858 or use webchat (5:00pm - midnight).
  • SANEline is a national out-of-hours mental health hotline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. They are normally open every day of the year, 4:00-10:00pm on 0300 304 7000. Email and text services are also available.

If your health is affecting your studies, we encourage you to talk to us about your situation as soon as possible, so we can advise you of the support available to you. Contact Eleni or Sarah for a discussion about your options.

The best path forward will depend on your specific circumstances, but may include:

  • applying for extensions or deferrals of deadlines
  • applying for mitigating circumstances to be taken into account when your work is marked
  • suspending your student status - this "stops the clock" on your course whilst you focus on your health

Students sometimes require alternative arrangements for their exams, due to medical, religious or other reasons. The Nuffield Academic Office supports students who need alternative arrangements for exams and submits applications for these arrangements to the Proctors on their behalf.

If you think you may need alternative arrangements, even if you are not yet sure, please contact Eleni, or Sarah so we can discuss the application process with you, and advise on what documentation you need to provide. You may also wish to contact the university Disability Advisory Service for advice if you have not already done so.

It is best to apply as early as possible for approval of alternative exam arrangements; the Proctors Office requests that applications are submitted by Friday of Week 4 of the term before the exam is due to take place. We recognise that this is not always possible, however, and so you should feel free to get in touch at any time.

There is more information about alternative exam arrangements on the University website.