Call emergency services on 999 or, the Porters’ Lodge can be contacted, either by telephone on 01865 (2)79000 or in-person if first aid is required.

If you suspect the presence of intruders, you should immediately report this to the Lodge, who will contact the police. Other matters that you need to report to the police should also be reported to the Dean (e.g. assault, theft).

You should make yourself familiar with the fire regulations posted on your staircase and in your room. You will be required to attend a fire safety briefing in College at the beginning of your first year. You must vacate your room when the fire alarm sounds, including for fire drills which are held at least twice a year, unless you have been notified in advance that you do not need to evacuate. You must not re-enter the building until told to do so.

College Doctor

The College is associated with the Summertown Health Centre, and Dr Matthew Cheetham and Dr Lorna Monteith from that practice are designated as College Doctors. Dr Cheetham and Dr Monteith will continue to offer appointments during term time (weeks 1-9) on a Tuesday morning.  Students can book a GP appointment by visiting Wellbeing Booking System. Appointments are held in the College Nurse’s Office, located on the first floor of the Front Quad, accessed via Staircase 6.

If you feel you would like a Chaperone present at your consultation, please speak to the Doctor who will be more than happy to arrange this for you. Visit our Policies page for details of our Chaperone Policy.

Book a Doctor’s Appointment

College Nurse

The College Nurse, Clare Woolcott, can help with minor illnesses. She runs her clinics online and in-person and is based at the College to allow this flexibility.

Appointment Availability

• Monday: 08:30-12:30
• Tuesday: 11:15-12:30
• Wednesday: 08:30-12:30
• Thursday: 08:30-12:30
• Friday: 08:30-12:30

Booking

You can book an in-person or Microsoft Teams appointment on the Hall’s Wellbeing System.

Each appointment has been provisionally set to 30 minutes.

If you feel you would like a Chaperone present at your consultation, please speak to the Nurse who will be more than happy to arrange this for you. Visit our Policies page for details of our Chaperone Policy.

Contact Email

Alternatively, you can also contact Clare Woolcott at nurse@seh.ox.ac.uk.

Location

The Nurse’s room is located on the 1st floor of the main Quad and can be reached from Staircase 6. If you have concerns regarding access to this area, please contact the Nurse (nurse@seh.ox.ac.uk) who will make alternative arrangements.

College Nurse Service Patient Information Leaflet

Download this leaflet for information about how your health information is recorded by your College Nurse and your College Doctor’s practice, and who can see this information.

Flu Advice

If you need any further advice, please contact the College Nurse: email nurse@seh.ox.ac.uk or call (2)79063.

Below are some simple measures that can be adopted to help minimise the spread of flu (and other similar respiratory illnesses). The first five should be standard practice at all times since they can help to minimise the spread of the normal respiratory illnesses such as colds and winter vomiting.

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people.
2. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue whenever possible and washing your hands afterwards.
3. Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully – bag and bin them.
4. Clean hard surfaces (e.g. kitchen worktops) and door handles with detergent daily, in addition to routine cleaning. The flu virus can survive for up to three hours on hard surfaces, such as tables and door handles.
5. Don’t share unwashed cutlery or cups.
6. Avoid non-essential travel and crowds at times of higher risk. It is likely that the government and health agencies will advise on both these issues in the event of a pandemic.

Symptoms of flu and further advice

The symptoms of flu include the following:

• a temperature over 38 degrees centigrade – forehead thermometers are easily purchased from local pharmacies, and cost around £3.
• a cough
• aching limbs/joints
• headaches

If you are suffering from these symptoms, you should:

• stay in your room and rest
• take cold/flu medicines to relieve the symptoms
• drink plenty of fluids
• let a friend or colleague know that you are unwell

If you have the following warning signs, you should phone your doctor’s surgery:

• getting worse after seeming to get better
• no improvement and temperature not coming down after 4 days
• severe or increasing breathlessness or difficulty breathing
• drowsiness or confusion
• coughing up blood

If possible, please check your temperature before phoning the doctor. The Department of Health information website contains much useful information.

The importance of hand-washing

It is essential to maintain hand cleanliness as we unconsciously touch our mouths, noses and eyes many times each day. This allows for the ready transfer of cold and flu viruses from unclean hands.

When washing your hands, wet them with clean, comfortably hot running water and apply liquid soap (or clean bar soap). Antibacterial products are not necessary. Bars of soap should be kept clean and placed on a rack and allowed to drain. Dry your hands using a paper towel or an air dryer if possible.

Meningitis

The meningococcal bacteria live in the nose and throat and are only passed on by prolonged intimate contact. Particularly in the winter season, members of the Hall are advised to be vigilant. The important thing is to know that the disease can develop very rapidly, sometimes within a matter of hours. Early symptoms of meningitis may be similar to those you get with flu or a hangover.

• Feeling feverish
• Vomiting
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck, back and joint pains

If you feel unwell, ask a friend to help you and to visit you regularly. If these symptoms are not relieved by paracetamol or aspirin, you should contact the College Nurse on (2)79063.

IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS DEVELOP, GET MEDICAL HELP URGENTLY, AS EARLY TREATMENT SAVES LIVES:

• Rash of tiny red bruises that does not fade under pressure
• Severe dislike of light
• Disorientation or drowsiness.

For information, advice or medical help, contact the College Doctor (01865 515552) or one of the following 24-hour Meningitis help-lines:

• National Meningitis Trust – 0808 801 0388
• Meningitis Research Foundation – 0808 800 3344
• Meningitis UK – 0117 947 6320.

Vaccinations

Students are encouraged to contact the college nurse if they have missed any routine vaccinations or are unsure if they are up-to-date with their vaccines, including the Meningitis (MenACWY) vaccine, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine or any other routine childhood vaccines that may have been missed.  Flu vaccines are not routinely available to students, unless they have an underlying health condition such as diabetes, asthma or are immuno-compromised.

The College employs a part time counsellor available all day every Tuesday during term times.

Emergency Contacts

• Call the 24/7 Oxfordshire NHS Mental Health Helpline: 01865 904997
• Nightline (01865 270270)
• Samaritans (tel. 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org)
• Accident and Emergency Department at the John Radcliffe Hospital
• Oxford Safe Haven is a local support for people experiencing a mental health crisis open 365 days per year. It is not a clinical service, but offers listening and advice.
• Other Mental Health Support
• Togetherall Managing Stress and Worry course (register with your Oxford email address)
• MIND including Talking Space Plus
• Student Minds
• Students Against Depression
• Papyrus – Prevention of Young Suicide
• It Gets Brighter
• Minding Your Head
• The Wellbeing Thesis
• LGBT+ Helpline
• Mental Health UK BAME mental health services
• Beat- Eating Disorders

Substance Misuse:

• Turning Point
• Talk to Frank

Mental Health First Aiders

The College have a number of staff and students who are trained in First Aid and Mental Health First Aid:

Please see our list of First Aiders/Mental Health First Aiders 2023 

If you are experiencing mental health problems, please do get in touch with one of our aiders.

The role

The role of a Mental Health First Aider in the workplace is to be a point of contact for a student or employee who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. This interaction could range from having an initial conversation through to supporting the person to get appropriate help. As well as in a crisis, Mental Health First Aiders are valuable in providing early intervention help for someone who may be developing a mental health issue.

Mental Health First Aiders are not trained to be therapists or psychiatrists but they can offer initial support through non-judgemental listening and guidance.

Mental Health First Aiders are trained to:

• Spot the early signs and symptoms of mental ill health
• Start a supportive conversation with a colleague who may be experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress
• Listen to the person non-judgementally
• Assess the risk of suicide or self-harm
• Encourage the person to access appropriate professional support or self-help strategies. This might include encouraging access to internal support systems such as EAPs or in-house counselling services
• Escalate to the appropriate emergency services, if necessary
• Maintain confidentiality as appropriate
• Protect themselves while performing their role

St Edmund Hall condemns harassment as an unacceptable form of behaviour and has a service to help students who think that they are being harassed in any way, including sexual and racial harassment.

You can contact the College’s two Senior Welfare Officers – Clare Woolcott (College Nurse) at nurse@seh.ox.ac.uk and Jane Armstrong at welfare@seh.ox.ac.uk who are available to any members of the College who wish to consult them or seek their advice or support. You can also book an appoint via our Wellbeing website.

Students can also contact:

• Senior Member Harassment Advisors: Henrike Lähnemann and David Dupret
• The Decanal Team
• Peer supporter
• Departmental Harassment Advisor
• University Harassment Line (Tel. 01865 270760 or email harassment.line@admin.ox.ac.uk) or OUSU Student Advice Service.

Further information

• Read our Harassment Policy Flowchart to help you decide what action to take.
• View our College Policy and Procedure on Harassment
• Oxford University’s Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service
• Oxford’s Harassment & Conflict Website

If you have particular concerns regarding academic components of the course, you should in the first instance speak to your tutor (if you are an undergraduate student), or your supervisor (if you are a graduate student). If this does not resolve the concern then the College’s Tutor for Undergraduates and Tutor for Graduates are available for students to consult. Graduate students are also allocated a College Adviser who may be able to assist.

In addition, the JCR have an Academic Affairs Officer and the MCR have an Academic Rep who students are welcome to contact for advice or support.

If you have a disability which may impact on your studies or your life in Oxford, please see the information on our Disability Support page or contact the University’s Disability Advisory Service.

At St Edmund Hall we recognise that it may be challenging to embark on a university course without the support or approval of a family network, and you may have anxieties around practicalities such as accommodation or financial support. If you have spent time in care or are estranged from your family, the college is committed to creating an environment where you feel safe, supported and able to reach your potential.

Jane Armstrong (Senior Welfare Officer) is St Edmund Hall’s dedicated contact for care experienced and estranged students. Jane is available to talk about the support available from the college and wider university and to advocate for students prior to and throughout your time here.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jane by emailing welfare@seh.ox.ac.uk.

Oxford University has signed the Standalone Pledge, committing to supporting estranged students.

The Senior Welfare Officers can assist you to navigate the types of support that are available, which include:

Financial assistance

1. Scholarships and non-repayable bursaries are available to help any low-income students who are invited to become Crankstart Scholars, eligible for a yearly bursary.  Further information about the Crankstart scheme can be found here.
2. A non-repayable estranged student bursary of up to £3,000 per year from Oxford University.
3. The College can offer financial advice and support tailored to your specific circumstances, including application to the financial assistance fund when required.
4. The College offers financial support for a rent deposit for qualifying second year students who typically live in private rented accommodation.
5. The University Careers Service can support you to find employment during vacations.

Standalone have produced a helpful guide for applying to Student Finance England as an estranged student.

Accommodation

• St Edmund Hall can guarantee availability of accommodation during vacation periods for students where required.
• The College has a fund to support qualifying students with rent deposits for private rented accommodation where required.

Mental Health

As well as the College Welfare Team, the University Counselling Service also offers expert help to students, and the University has a wealth of support available via its Mental Health website.

The University can offer both 1-2-1 and group counselling, and there is also the option to see a counsellor within St Edmund Hall if you prefer.

Our College Chaplain is the Reverend Dr Mariama Ifode-Blease who leads Sunday Chapel services and special Chapel events. Mariama is pastorally available for support.

To arrange a meeting please make an appointment by email: mariama.ifode-blease@seh.ox.ac.uk.

Read her biography