Student Health Hub
If you are a new or returning student, whether in your local area or if you've moved to a new place, it's important to know how to use local NHS services correctly to get the right care in the right place.
Visit our Right Care Right Place page for general information on local services.
Visit our Right Care Right Place page for general information on local services.
Click on the image below to download a checklist for your dorm or flat.
Self-help
You can access health advice and self-help guides for a range of common illnesses at www.nhsinform.scot
These guides will tell you if you need to contact a particular service or if you can treat yourself at home. They are produced by the same clinical team who support the NHS 24 phone service (111).
These guides will tell you if you need to contact a particular service or if you can treat yourself at home. They are produced by the same clinical team who support the NHS 24 phone service (111).
Community Pharmacies
Community pharmacies can offer advice and treatment for a wide range of minor ailments such as a cough, cold or sore throat, hangover, indigestion, aches and pains and emergency contraception.
You should consider a pharmacy as your first port of call as many common ailments do not require you to see a doctor and you do not need to make an appointment at a pharmacy. Visit Scotland's Service Directory on NHS Inform for a list of community pharmacies in Tayside.
You should consider a pharmacy as your first port of call as many common ailments do not require you to see a doctor and you do not need to make an appointment at a pharmacy. Visit Scotland's Service Directory on NHS Inform for a list of community pharmacies in Tayside.
Register with a local GP
GPs provide advice and treatment for non-urgent issues such as vomiting, headaches, back or abdominal pain, or concerns about your mood or mental wellbeing. They also offer screening such as smears, and monitoring and management of ongoing health conditions. You can contact your GP during the day for an appointment which may be face-to-face or by phone or video call as appropriate.
It's important to register with a GP in Tayside so that you can be seen locally if needed and won't have to go back home. A&E is only for very urgent or life-threatening illness and injuries and should not be used for issues you would normally see your GP for.
It's free to register with a GP. Visit Scotland's Service Directory on NHS inform for a full list of GPs in Tayside then complete and submit an application form to the GP practice you wish to join.
It's important to register with a GP in Tayside so that you can be seen locally if needed and won't have to go back home. A&E is only for very urgent or life-threatening illness and injuries and should not be used for issues you would normally see your GP for.
It's free to register with a GP. Visit Scotland's Service Directory on NHS inform for a full list of GPs in Tayside then complete and submit an application form to the GP practice you wish to join.
Accident & Emergency
Our Emergency Departments (EDs) are for life-threatening emergencies such as serious illnesses or injuries, suspected heart attacks or strokes, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding. In these situations please call 999 or go directly to A&E.
If you think you need A&E, but it's not life-threatening, contact your GP or NHS 24 on 111 who can direct you to the right service. If A&E is the most appropriate place, you will either be given an appointment at our ED or a consultation by telephone or video. You should not attend EDs directly unless it is a critical emergency.
Patients who present at our EDs with minor illness or injury will be assessed by a senior doctor or nurse to ensure that they do not require emergency care before they are redirected to the most appropriate service, such as their GP, pharmacist, dentist or NHS 24. This ensures that patients are seen by the best person for their needs and also ensures our specialist staff can see those needing emergency treatment as quickly as possible.
If you think you need A&E, but it's not life-threatening, contact your GP or NHS 24 on 111 who can direct you to the right service. If A&E is the most appropriate place, you will either be given an appointment at our ED or a consultation by telephone or video. You should not attend EDs directly unless it is a critical emergency.
Patients who present at our EDs with minor illness or injury will be assessed by a senior doctor or nurse to ensure that they do not require emergency care before they are redirected to the most appropriate service, such as their GP, pharmacist, dentist or NHS 24. This ensures that patients are seen by the best person for their needs and also ensures our specialist staff can see those needing emergency treatment as quickly as possible.
Mental health and wellbeing support
For help with your mental health and wellbeing, such as a long term mental illness, low mood, thoughts of self harm or suicide, you should first contact your GP, or call NHS 24 on 111 if your GP is closed. You can also visit www.crisistayside.scot.nhs.uk for advice and details of other sources of support such as Samaritans and Breathing Space.
NHS Inform's online mental health resources include free apps for sleep, anxiety, and stress. They also have guides on:
• dealing with low mood, anxiety, phobias, and stress
• improving your wellbeing
• where to get help
• what do if you or someone else is in distress
Think Positive is NUS Scotland’s student mental health project. If you are looking for mental health support, the Think Positive Hub brings together support services available to students in Scotland. You can also find all of the projects, resources and news relating to student mental health in Scotland together in one place.
Local universities and colleges have dedicated support services for their students. Click on the links below for more information.
Abertay University Counselling and Mental Health Service
University of Dundee Mental Health Support
Dundee & Angus College Counselling Service
Perth College UHI Wellbeing and Support Service
NHS Inform's online mental health resources include free apps for sleep, anxiety, and stress. They also have guides on:
• dealing with low mood, anxiety, phobias, and stress
• improving your wellbeing
• where to get help
• what do if you or someone else is in distress
Think Positive is NUS Scotland’s student mental health project. If you are looking for mental health support, the Think Positive Hub brings together support services available to students in Scotland. You can also find all of the projects, resources and news relating to student mental health in Scotland together in one place.
Local universities and colleges have dedicated support services for their students. Click on the links below for more information.
Abertay University Counselling and Mental Health Service
University of Dundee Mental Health Support
Dundee & Angus College Counselling Service
Perth College UHI Wellbeing and Support Service
Sexual health support
NHS Tayside Sexual & Reproductive Health Services provide inclusive, friendly, confidential and high quality services for anyone who needs to access them.
Services include all methods of contraception including free condoms and emergency contraception, screening and treatment for STIs, sexual health advice, pregnancy testing, support for unplanned pregnancy and referral for termination of pregnancy, menopause support, sexual problems support and sexual health support following sexual assault.
Sexual health appointments can be made by calling 01382 425542 between 9am and 12pm or through our online booking system
For more information please visit www.sexualhealthtayside.org
Services include all methods of contraception including free condoms and emergency contraception, screening and treatment for STIs, sexual health advice, pregnancy testing, support for unplanned pregnancy and referral for termination of pregnancy, menopause support, sexual problems support and sexual health support following sexual assault.
Sexual health appointments can be made by calling 01382 425542 between 9am and 12pm or through our online booking system
For more information please visit www.sexualhealthtayside.org
Vaccinations
Infectious diseases and illnesses can spread easily at university and college as you are likely to be in contact with lots of different groups of people and will be at higher risk of catching and passing on bugs. Please check that you have had all your vaccines and get any jabs or boosters you may have missed.
It's important for students to be up-to-date with vaccines for COVID-19, Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and Meningitis (MenACWY). Visit www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/vaccines-for-students/ for more information on vaccinations and www.vaccinationtayside.scot.nhs.uk for information on local arrangements for getting vaccinated in Tayside.
It's important for students to be up-to-date with vaccines for COVID-19, Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and Meningitis (MenACWY). Visit www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/vaccines-for-students/ for more information on vaccinations and www.vaccinationtayside.scot.nhs.uk for information on local arrangements for getting vaccinated in Tayside.
Give blood and save lives
A warm welcome awaits you at Dundee Blood Donor Centre, Ninewells Hospital on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday to give blood.
If you are already a donor, remember to leave a minimum of 12 weeks since your last donation. 
Book online at scotblood.co.uk or call 0345 90 90 999.
If you are already a donor, remember to leave a minimum of 12 weeks since your last donation.
Further information
More advice and information on student health and wellbeing support is available at the following links.
