Health and Welfare

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.

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

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.

Our new College Chaplain is the Revd Dr Zachary Guiliano who leads Sunday Chapel services and special Chapel events. Zack is pastorally available for support.

To arrange a meeting please make an appointment by email: zachary.guiliano@seh.ox.ac.uk.

Read his biography.

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.

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.

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.