Health Care and Counselling

Health Care in the UK

While you are studying at Richmond as a full time degree student, you may access the nation's health care system (called the NHS) free of charge. During new student orientation, you will have the opportunity to register with a local doctor's office and meet with a nurse from the practice. This registration will allow you to access free doctor's visits and discounted prescription drugs (depending on your age). You may also receive free emergency care at local NHS hospitals.

In addition to the NHS, full time degree students are also covered for major medical expenses through a company called Endsleigh Insurance. Endsleigh are the leading student insurers in the UK and will cover students while they are studying and travelling for course-related work. For more information about Endsleigh's policy for Richmond students, please contact the Office of Student Affairs.

If you are a study abroad student, you'll need to register in person with a letter from the Student Affairs Office. As you will only be staying in the UK less than 6 months, you will have to pay for your medical expenses up front (generally £60 per visit)and claim this back on your insurance provided by AIFS.

The Student Affairs Office can help you through this process.

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Your Local Doctor's Office

Richmond Hill Campus

If you are living at Richmond Hill, you will have an opportunity to sign up with your local doctor's office during new student orientation week.

Seymour House Surgery
154 Sheen Road,
Richmond, Surrey TW9 1UU

Tel: 020 8940 2802 / 020 8940 3228
Fax: 020 8332 7877
Web: www.richmondsurgery.co.uk

The doctor's office is located just down the road from the University.

Kensington Campus

If you are living at Kensington, you will need to visit the doctor's office with your NHS number to transfer your medical services to Kensington.

Emperors Gate Surgery
49 Emperors Gate
London
SW7 4HJ

Phone: 020 7244 5670
Fax: 020 7244 5680

The Doctor's Office is only a 10-minute walk from Atlantic House.

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Emergency Help

All staff who live and work on campus are trained in first aid. If you should feel ill outside of the hours of your local doctor's office, contact a member of the Security Team or a Resident Advisor or Director.

Other Resources include:
NHS Direct
The NHS offers a free telephone/web services that operates 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. To contact them, dial 0845 46 47 or visit their website NHS Direct

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Sexual Health Clinics

Wolverton Clinic for Sexual Health
Kingston Hospital
Galsworthy Road
020 8974 9331

The centre offers a wide range of sexual health services. All consultations and treatments are free and the service is confidential.

Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
Assessment and management of other genital symptoms/problems
Sexual health service, information and counselling
HIV testing and advice
Complete HIV medical inpatient and outpatient care
Hepatitis screening and vaccination
Young persons clinic
Gay/bi-sexual men's clinic
Emergency contraception and pregnancy testing
Infection testing and support following rape/sexual assault
Management of psychosexual problems
Free condoms and lubricant

Wolverton Clinic for Sexual Health

John Hunter Clinic
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Road
020 8846 6699

The Chelsea and Westminster Sexual Health and HIV Directorate provides Sexual health and HIV services across three London sites.

Our sexual health clinics offer testing for sexually transmitted infections (including HIV tests), contraceptives including the morning after pill (emergency contraception), condoms, pregnancy testing, Hepatitis A and B vaccinations, safer sex education and support/counselling.

Our three main sexual health clinics are based at John Hunter clinic (located in St Stephens Centre next to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital), West London Centre for Sexual health (located in Charing Cross Hospital) and 56 Dean St in Soho. We also provide outreach sexual health clinics which are services based in the community for e.g. in NHS walk-in centres and also run clinics for specific groups of patients for e.g. men who have sex with men, which are called specialist sexual health clinics.

Our services for HIV infected persons include a dedicated inpatient ward, two day-care units, three outpatient clinics Kobler Clinic (based in St Stephens Centre next to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital), West London Centre for Sexual health and 56 Dean St and emergency clinics for HIV related problems

We can provide HIV or sexual health care to any patients wishing to attend our service. Patients do not need their GP to refer them for care, nor do they need to live locally. All of our services are completely confidential and your privacy will be respected at all times.

John Hunter Clinic for Sexual Health

Counselling Services

As part of the coverage offered by Endsleigh Insurance, full time degree students may access personal counselling services by a qualified counsellor for up to 6 sessions per term.

Counselling sessions can be booked directly through our Counsellors. When you email, please ensure that you include "counselling services" or something similar in the subject line so that your email does not get lost. Please find their contact details below.

Please be advised:

-cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will count as one of your six sessions

-because both counsellors have other professional commitments, their time slots at both campuses are constrained by other schedules

Diana Pringle, Richmond Hill Campus Counsellor

Hello! My name is Diana Pringle and I provide a confidential counselling service for students covering the kind of issues that occur at this time such as relationship difficulties, self esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, performance concerns, insomnia, life/work balance, career decisions and transitions.

Leaving home, especially moving to a new country often presents unexpected difficulties which can undermine the enjoyment and stimulation you expect from such an adventure. In therapy we can unravel your issues and help you get the most of your time at Richmond University.

I have UKCP professional registration and an MA in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling. You can find more about me and how I work on my website at www.dianapringle.com

Contact Information:
Email Diana Pringle

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Anne de Montarlot, Kensington Campus Counsellor

Hello! My name is Anne and I have been working for some time with multicultural clients. My own personal journey exposed me to some of the tribulations someone undergoes when confronted to a new environment.

Typical issues might include: a sense of disorientation, depression, stress, self -esteem, anxiety, loss, eating concerns, etc…

I am qualified (MA) and registered (UKCP, MBACP) as an Existential psychotherapist. But, most importantly, behind the qualification, therapy is essentially a safe and contained place, (sheltered away from the usual pressures and expectations), where you can be heard in a meaningful way.

It helps you make sense of feelings and thoughts that can be experienced as, confusing, disempowering, and overwhelming!

We will unpack them together and try to get some meaning and sense out of them.
It is about self understanding through an increased self-awareness and its resulting insights which lead to a change of perspectives and a sense of well being.

It is confidential and it is a collaboration.

I am looking forward to meeting you.
If you feel you need to talk, please contact me through the Student Affairs office or by email.

Please visit my website at www.re-solutionpartnership.com

Contact Information:
Email Anne de Montarlot

Search other local resources in the London area
Counselling Directory