Health and wellbeing
General
- Chaplaincy – offers a range of facilities, events and pastoral care, including related to bereavement. Support is offered regardless of faith or philosophy of life.
- Environment and Sustainability – The university is committed to a sustainable future, see how you could get involved.
- Music Centre – The University offers lot of opportunities to learn and experience the power of music.
- Saints Sports – Get active with the Universities wide range of clubs and facilities.
- Community Facilities – Information on how to take advantage of being in and around this historic town.
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Med Support
The Medical School Support Team led by the Medical School Pro-Dean, are an additional source of pastoral support for students. Students can seek support from this team or access the support provided by the University Student Support Service (see below) dependent on their preference and individual situation. Before seeking University support, students may wish to obtain advice and guidance from the Medical School Support Team first.
The School of Medicine Support Team are contactable Monday to Friday within office hours.
Academic difficulties
To help students in their academic journey and development Students are assigned a personal tutor when they start their Medical course and will normally remain with that tutor until they graduate from St. Andrews. See the policy on Tutors. Personal Tutors are there to assist students develop their learning abilities, and to be an accessible member of staff for advice and support alongside the med support team.
Academic queries relating to specific topics are best dealt with by the relevant member of staff. Module Controllers and Year Leads can deal with general queries about the courses.
CEED is the University’s central point for assistance with teaching and learning. It aims to encourage excellence and innovation in learning and teaching by providing support and guidance for students and staff. There is specific English Language Support available. CEED provides a wide range of academic study skills/ maths & statistics support to help students throughout their university studies. Students can make individual appointments, attend seminars and utilise online guides and resources among other things.
The Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) was formed within the Medical School in 2010 with the aim of proving individual personalised academic support to first year students who were finding it hard academically to gain the grades required for entry into honours years. The scheme has grown in recent years, and now includes clinical skills teaching in addition to academic mentoring. Access to the scheme has also been widened to involve all first year students who seek additional support, irrespective of their academic performance. Second and Third year students volunteer their time and provide one-on-one mentoring, run revision sessions and clinical skills workshops. Recent activities within the scheme include a mock-OSCE exam and mock-APE.
Disabilities
The University provides a range of support services for students with disabilities, and the School’s Disabilities Officer is available for additional advice. The school works closely with the University’s Disabilities Team to help access support and relevant adjustments related to disabilities in order to help students in their journey with the Medical School.
Information about disabilities access to the School buildings can be found on our environment page.
Physical and Mental Health
The University website contains a range of resources and information about health issues and wellbeing, including a series of wellbeing talks. Students can contact the Student Health Hub or the Advice and Support Centre with any concerns or queries.
Nightline is a confidential, anonymous listening and information service run by students for students every night during term time. To contact Nightline -
- Phone (8pm to 7am): +44 (0)1334 46 22 66 (ext. 22 66 in halls)
- Instant Message (8pm to midnight)
- Email (service aims to respond within 72hrs): nightline@st-andrews.ac.uk
The Every Mind Matters website, launched in conjunction with the NHS, has relevant resources about mental health. The Mental Health Foundation provide a range of online booklets covering topics such as how to manage stress and how to sleep better, and free copies of these Mental Health Foundation booklets are available in the School common rooms.
Dedicated mental health support for LGBTIQ+ communities is provided by Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline and Mind Out, and information about mental health support for Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities can be found at the Black Emotional and Mental Health Network, Therapy for Black Girls and the Chinese Mental Health Association.
Anyone experiencing an acute mental health issue is advised to contact their GP, or if medical practice is closed then contact NHS 24 on 111.
If you, or you fear someone you know, is at immediate risk then please call 999. In addition, (not as a substitute for emergency services) if you fear you or someone else is at risk you can contact the Universities security and response team on 01334 468 999.
The following agencies are also available:
Conduct
The University provides comprehensive information for students about what to do if you have experienced harassment, bullying or sexual misconduct (see links below)
If you, or someone you know, has experienced bullying, discrimination, abuse, assault or harassment of any sort, you can report such incidents anonymously using the University’s Report and Support tool. If you choose to report using your contact details, a member of staff can get in touch with you to provide support. This tool can be used by students, members of staff, members of the public or visitors to the University.
Within the Medical School the Med Support Team can provide advice and support related to any such experiences. In addition The students association can offer advice and guidance for students engaged in the discipline proceedings. The student advocate Iain Cupples can help in preparing for any meetings as part of the process, and when available could also accompany students to meetings.
Sexual violence
Support is available if you have experienced sexual violence, including sexual assault or harassment. If you’ve experienced sexual violence or are unsure of what to do, please consider:
- Safety: if you have current concerns for your safety or require medical attention, please contact emergency services and the University support staff listed above.
- Support: if you have been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted, you do not have to cope on your own – whether within or outwith daytime hours, Student Services staff are available to help on the contact numbers above. You may wish to seek support outside the University – please see the resource for students on sexual misconduct.
- Information and resources: if you are safe and have access to support, but are unsure about what to do, the University has produced an advice and guidance resource for students on sexual misconduct.
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Disabilities
The University has a Staff Disabilities Policy, and staff with disabilities are encouraged to speak with their line manager, Occupational Health or Human Resources Business Partner about potential adjustments at work.
The University provides a range of information related to Disabilities and Health, including a Physical Access Guide. Information about disabilities access to the School buildings can be found on the School's Environment page.
The School is committed to ensuring that all events and meetings are inclusive and accessible, as described in the University’s Event and Meeting Inclusion Guide.
Physical and Mental Health
Staff can seek support for their physical and mental health from the University’s Occupational Health Service, which aims to protect employee health within the workplace and offers assessments, health surveillance and advice. The Health Advisors can potentially provide referrals for physiotherapy and other services.
The Every Mind Matters website, launched in conjunction with the NHS, has relevant resources about mental health. The Mental Health Foundation provide a range of online booklets covering topics such as how to manage stress and how to sleep better, and free copies of these Mental Health Foundation booklets are available in the School common rooms.
Anyone experiencing an acute mental health issue is advised to contact their GP or if medical practice is closed then contact NHS 24 on 111.
The following agencies are also available:
Work life balance & Development
The school provide some guidance on work life balance including flexible working, and the school also adherers to the Universities career break policy (requests need to be approved by Head of School). Staff are welcome to contact Human Resources for further advice and information.
The University’s Wellbeing and Engagement Group coordinates a range of activities and training opportunities, and staff can sign up for the Well Now! announcements.
Within the Medical School we also have the Continuous Improvement (CI) group.
The CI Group is comprised of representatives from the School that meet regularly to discuss ideas and review progress on initiatives that are designed to make improvements to the way work is carried out in the School or to enhance staff’s working experience. CI group helps to organise social events that help to build a sense of belonging and encourage cross communication of ideas within the School.
Together as a whole staff unit we look to develop a School that
- Listens and cares
- Encourages and values contribution
- Communicates openly and respectfully
- Trusts and helps each other
- Supports and encourages development
For many years, the Medical School's SCALE (Strategy for Changing Academic Life Environment) group has supported its equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) work and has achieved a great deal, including:
- a buddying scheme and improvements to induction for all new staff
- developing structured pre-promotions support for academic and research staff
- establishing a medicinal garden and free yoga classes to support the health and wellbeing of all students and staff
The School holds an Athena SWAN Silver award and is in the process of evaluating the impact of implementing its promises on its Athena SWAN action plan.
Conduct
The University’s polices on harassment and bullying for staff are outlined in the dignity and respect at work policy. The University also has a policy on personal relationships at work.
The University provides disclosure guidance for staff, in case a staff member has been made aware by a student of an incident of sexual harassment or an alleged sexual assault.
If you, or someone you know, has experienced bullying, discrimination, abuse, assault or harassment of any sort, you can report such incidents anonymously using the University’s Report and Support tool. If you choose to report using your contact details, a member of staff can get in touch with you to provide support. This tool can be used by students, members of staff, members of the public or visitors to the University.