Health and Advice
Registering with a doctor
It is advisable to register with a doctor close to your home. Names of such doctors and the addresses of their surgeries are available from the Student Health Centre, the Dean of Students' Office, the Welfare Office and in the Students' Union.
Do not wait until you feel ill before registering with a doctor. Once you have registered, you will receive, some days later through the post, a medical card bearing your National Health Service number. It is necessary to keep this card in a safe place. It is worthwhile remembering that those under the age of twenty-five are eligible to receive free prescriptions.
There are several large pharmacies located in the city centre and smaller ones near the University and halls of residence. There are also a few that are open 24 hours and details can be obtained from your GP once you have registered or from information published in local newspapers.
The Student Health Centre
The Student Health Centre is located at 47 Park Place [map reference 37]. It is open from 09:15 - 12:15 and 14:15 - 17:00 throughout the year, and can be contacted on 029 2087 4810.
The Student Health Centre is available for confidential consultation during illness, after injury or in order to discuss any health related academic problems. A wide range of advice on immunisation and preventative medicine is also provided. Immediate free treatment is given. This service is intended to supplement the General Practitioner service and is not a substitute for it. During term time a Family Planning Clinic is held on Wednesdays between 17:00 - 20:00 by appointment.
Opticians
You may telephone or call at an optician's shop of which there are several in Cardiff city centre. Examinations are not free and you will have to pay for treatment and/or supplies. A charge of about £15 will usually be made for eye examinations.
The University's School of Optometry and Vision Sciences does, however, provide a full examination, treatment, and spectacle supply service. To make use of this service, you can either call in at the Eye Clinic located on the Ground floor of the Redwood Building (map reference 33), or telephone 029 2087 4357 to arrange an appointment. If you attend the "Student Clinic" there is no charge for an eye test.
Getting Help
Hopefully these web pages will help you settle down in Cardiff. However, Cardiff University also provides support which can be drawn upon throughout your time here. If you have worries which are personal, financial, academic or anything else, please do not hesitate to take advantage of these services.
Student Support and Development Division
The Student Support and Development Divison has overall responsibility for your personal welfare and is located (map reference 37) next to the University Union (map reference 38) and opposite the rear entrance of the Main Building (map reference 39). The Division's Student Advisory Service can be contacted at:
50 Park Place (Cathays Park Campus), or at 2nd Floor, Cardigan House (Heath Park Campus)
Tel: +44 (0)29 2087 4844.
The Student Advisory Service provides confidential advice and help on a wide range of matters including personal, financial and welfare.
The Division also administers the Day Care Centre and includes the Disability and Dyslexia Service.
Student Advice Centre (Students' Union)
The Student Advice Centre is located on the 3rd floor of the Students Union. Information and advice is given to students on a wide range of topics, particularly benefits, and legal aid and advice schemes.
You can also reach the Centre by phone on 029 2078 1410.
Nightline
If you are feeling alone and need to speak to someone, or simply would like some information such as bus times, then ring Nightline on 029 2087 0555. Alternatively, you can visit the Nightline office at 148 Column Road. The service operates 20:00 - 08:00 seven days a week during term time. The service is run entirely by student volunteers. Information for students is kept up to date and covers a wide range of topics; anything from maps to mental health, bus timetables to bed and breakfast guesthouses.
An answerphone is kept on during the daytime which gives the number for the Samaritans in Cardiff (tel. no. 02920 344022), who can be contacted at any time.