OSAP has made a special arrangement with 28@Northgate (formally 28 Beaumont Street), a medical practice in central Oxford (only a 5-minute walk from the OSAP offices) that offers a full range of medical services to OSAP students. Through our arrangement, your visits are partially subsidized, and OSAP will pay half the normal fees for any needed consultations.
During the OSAP Orientation Program, one of the doctors from 28@Northgate will speak to students and advise on on making appointments and the medical services offered, handling major and minor illnesses, the National Health Service (NHS), confidentiality, requests for home visits, emergencies, and other important aspects of medical care whilst studying in Oxford.
You are well advised to make certain that your medical insurance covers you during your stay in England. If it does not it is possible to obtain traveller’s health insurance for short periods. While in Britain, the National Health Service will treat you free if it is an emergency; however, since you do not pay British taxes it is only fair if they choose to charge you for other treatment.
Each college has a doctor on call and if you become ill you may consult him or her through the Porter’s Lodge. There is also a full hospital in Oxford (see details below). Remember that you have given us permission (in your release form) to act on behalf of your parents should an emergency arise (naturally, this is unlikely, but it is good to be prepared). We will always do all we can to help but naturally we can accept no responsibility for any medical problems.
You will need to contact reception at 28@Northgate, using the details below, in order to make an appointment. Please tell them when you phone that you are an OSAP student and remember to take your Acceptance Letter with you when you go for your appointment as proof. You will need to pay in cash as the surgery does not accept cheques or credit cards.
Doctor’s Surgery Address
Northgate Health Centre
15 Market Street
Oxford
Telephone
(01865) 311 811
Website
www.28beaumontstreet.co.uk
My name is Dr Matthew Easdale and I serve the OSAP programme in Oxford as their Medical Doctor.
It will be a strange experience for you adjusting to English culture, so these are a few hints on how to survive in Oxford from a Medical point of view.
I work at 28@Northgate which is about a 5-minute walk from the OSAP offices on George Street.
CONFIDENTIALITY: I am here to help you in matters of health. Being the nominated Doctor means that I am available for advice at any time to Members of the Programme. You have the guarantee of the Doctor/Patient relationship, and this Confidentiality may only be broken with your express permission. This can be useful to you on rare occasions when you may wish for the Director to know about anything which may have hindered your studies.
REGISTRATION: This only applies to those who are staying in the UK for more than 6 months and grants rights of free NHS care. Most of you are here for lesser periods and will therefore not be entitled to free care. If you are eligible, registration consists of signing forms at the Surgery and seeing me for a Registration check.
THE NHS: Most of you will not be familiar with the workings and conventions of the National Health Service (NHS). We are Doctors (not MD’s) who work in a Practice in a Doctor’s Surgery (not a Doctor’s Office). As General Practitioners, we have a long training in various specialities to equip us for Family Medicine. In addition, our role us to act as a filter to other services available in the NHS. Specialists do not accept self-referrals, so please consult your GP (General Practitioners) first. The same is true of the Accident Department (Emergency Room) at the John Radcliffe, where a Doctor’s letter is expected on arrival, except in the case of an Acute Emergency. There is no University (Campus) Sanatorium; treatment takes place either in the Community or in the Hospital system.
EMERGENCIES: Acute major emergencies (e.g. fractures, fits, falls with loss of consciousness, sudden acute breathlessness) must of course bypass the filtering system. Dial 999 on any public telephone and ask for the Ambulance Service. In Oxford, the Ambulance Service is particularly good and an Ambulance will usually arrive within minutes.
APPOINTMENTS AT 28@NORTHGATE: Appointments can be made over the telephone or at the Surgery in person. Telephone 01865 311811 after 8am and we shall try to give you same-day Appointments. Please turn up on time or, if you change your mind, and do not wish to take up the Appointment, please telephone to cancel as early as possible. Also please remember to bring your OSAP acceptance letter to make sure you qualify for the reduced (subsidised) consultation charge.
CHARGES: The British Medical Associations has instituted a scale of charges for consultations. Home Visits and other Services. We do not wish to burden you, so we have agreed to charge a half-rate which I hope you can reclaim from your Health Insurance. There is a separate tariff for Pathology services. The Practice Manager would appreciate payment up front for Consultations. Not having the money should not deter you from seeking the advice you need; arrangements can always be made.
HANDLING MINOR ILLNESSES: Minor sore throats and flu-like illnesses can usually be handled by visiting a local chemist/pharmacy.
In case of serious accident, illness, or emergency, please dial 999 from any phone. This will put you in touch with the Ambulance service.
Local accidents and emergencies are treated at A&E (the Emergency Room) at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
John Radcliffe Hospital Address
John Radcliffe Hospital
Headley Way
Headington
Oxford
OX3 9DU
Emergency Telephone
999
Website
http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/hospitals/jr/
The OSAP overseas program in Oxford hosts the largest number of students each year.
MORE INFO"I was taught by two Professors [holders of Chairs, usually only one don in the University in each subject], both of whom were Fellows of the British Academy. My academic program could not have been better."
"I would say OSAP is better because there is more integration with British students and a better safety net. Plus, the housing is better."