NEED HELP NOW?

GOT A MEDICAL ISSUE?

Immediately life-threatening and serious

If you or someone else is seriously ill or life is at risk then you should call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Some examples of such emergencies include:

loss of consciousness
fits that won't stop
an acute confused state
mental health emergencies where this a risk of serious harm or threat to life
severe chest pain
breathing difficulties
severe bleeding that won't stop
severe allergic reactions
severe burns or scalds
major trauma like a road traffic accident, stabbing, shooting, fall from height, or serious head injury

You can contact the emergency services via a text relay service or SMS if you are hearing impaired or have a speech impediment. To use the SMS service you must have registered in advance. More details about this service is available on the emergencySMS website.

If you can make your own way to A&E then the nearest A&E departments are at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. You can walk-in to A&E 24/7. If there is an immediate risk to life, you should always phone 999 for an ambulance. If you are not sure if you need to go to A&E, you can phone NHS 111 (just dial 111) for advice.

Urgent but non-life-threatening

Between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday

If your issue is non-life threatening and it is between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday, call the Student Health Hub on 01334 465777 for advice on what to do.

Evenings or Weekends

If it is the evening or weekend and it cannot wait till GP opening hours, call NHS 111 (just dial 111). They will ask you about your symptoms, and advise you on what you need to do.

In some cases, they may give you an appointment with an out of hours doctor or nurse. They can provide medication or advice on medical issues, but they are not designed to treat long-term conditions as they do not have all of your notes, or the ability to make referrals to other services. If you’re dealing with a long-term condition, they may be able to provide you with some short-term treatment or advice until you can see your GP.

The out of hours service is usually run at the St Andrews Community Hospital, but currently overnight cover from midnight to 8am is at other hospitals in Fife or Dundee. The person who arranges the appointment will tell you on the phone where you need to go. There is no bus service to these hospitals in the night, and taxis can be expensive (£50-£100). If you need to go to a hospital outside St Andrews, but you cannot get there (due to the length or cost of the journey, for instance) tell the adviser on the phone. They may be able to provide you with transport, or advise you on how to get assistance with the cost. If you have absolutely no way to get to the appointment, call the University Security and Response Team on 01334 468999 to ask for help.

Minor Injuries

The Minor Injuries Service can provide treatment for a range of less serious injuries sustained within the last 72 hours. They can treat arm, wrist, hand, knee, ankle, foot, back, shoulder, and rib injuries; head and neck injuries in people who are fully conscious; cuts and wounds that may need dressing or stitches; and minor burns and scalds.

The nearest Minor Injuries Service at St Andrews Community Hospital operates from 8am to 6pm, and there is a 24/7 service at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

Been admitted to hospital?

If you have been admitted to hospital then you should let Student Services know as soon as possible. They will support you with what you need to do next. More information is available on the university website here.

NEED TO TALK?

Nightline

If you need someone to talk to during the night, St Andrews Nightline provide an anonymous listening service every night halls are open from 8pm to 7am. Nightline is a non-directive listening service, they are there to listen about anything you may need to get off your chest, nothing is too big or too small! They can provide information on the services available to you if you ask for it - they will never make you speak to someone or refer you to a service you do not want.

If you want to get in touch with Nightline, their contact details will always be on the back of your matriculation card. You can call them on 01334 462266 or Skype them on StAndrewsNightline. They also provide an instant messaging service until midnight, which you can find on their website here. Nightline also operate an email service. They will respond to every email during term time within 48 hours, and within 72 hours outside of term time - just email them on nightline@.

Samaritans

You can call Samaritans on 116 123. They are available any time, day or night, and calling them is free. They also offer an email service if you would rather write your thoughts down - email them on jo@samaritans.org. Find out more about the services they offer on their website here.

In University Residences

Each undergraduate residence has a live-in team of wardens. The Warden and Assistant Wardens provide out-of-hours contact and support as well as links to day-time support services. They are a first point of contact if you need a first aid, if a student is in distress, or is experiencing difficulties. Their role is one of a mentor, adviser, and supporter for all the residents.

Wardens and Assistant Wardens undergo regular training and are qualified to provide basic first aid. Remember, you should always call 999 first in a serious or life-threatening emergency.

While students are in residence a member of the wardennial team is on duty between 7pm and 8am Monday to Friday and between 2pm and 8am on Saturday and Sunday. Each team also offers daily drop-in sessions - details are available on each residence's web page. For details about how to contact the warden in your hall, see details on the university website here.

Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy can offer pastoral care and support to students of any or no faith. Drop into the Chaplaincy, email them on chaplaincy@, call 01334 462866 or 462492. In an emergency in the evening or at the weekend, you can contact the Chaplain on 077133 22036.

NEED ADVICE OR SUPPORT?

Student Services

Student Services can support students with any difficulties they might have. They often help with financial issues, international student visas, reporting or getting support for a sexual assault, mental health support, support with your academic school, contacting external agencies like the NHS or a solicitor, and personal or study-related matters.

The Wellbeing Advisors can be a first point of contact if you are not sure what to do about an issue or who you need to speak to. You can also make appointments online with Mental Health Coordinators, Counsellors, and to report or get support for a sexual assault.

You can book appointments online here, call into the ASC, call the ASC on 01334 462020, or email the ASC on theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk.

If you would like support for or to report a sexual assault, then you can also pick up a "Support, Report" card in the library or union and hand it to a warden or member of staff at Student Services and you'll be taken somewhere safe and private, no questions asked.

‌Student Services Counselling, Wellbeing and Mental Health Matching Care has been accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in partnership with the British Psychological Society to recognise the quality of the service. St Andrews is the only University in Scotland to receive this award.

University Security and Response Team

If you have concerns about student welfare outside of office hours then you can contact the University of St Andrews Security and Response Team on 01334 468999. A security officer will take your details and an appropriate member of staff will call you back to offer help. You can also call the Warden if you’re in a university residence. Some examples of what they can help with is (but is not necessarily limited to):

mental health emergencies (involving you or someone else);
helping you if you are in or need to go to hospital;
if you need emergency accommodation;

Remember you can always call NHS 111 if you need urgent medical advice, or 999 in a life-threatening situation.

Disability Team

You can contact the Disability Team on disability@st-andrews.ac.uk, go to Eden Court or the ASC, or call the ASC on 01334 462020 for an appointment. Once you have an adviser you can also contact them directly via email.

More information about what the Disability Team does and how they can help is available on this site here.

NEED TO TAKE TIME OFF?

More information about what to do about absence and the different kinds of absences are available on this website here.