Letter from the College Nurse
September 2019
Welcome to Pembroke College.
I will be meeting all new students to the College in their first few weeks. This will enable me to meet you and register you with our nearest GP surgery, Trumpington Street Medical Practice, which is not only excellent but only a 2 minute walk from Pembroke College. I will be able to save you a lot of tedious queuing and can complete the process here in college with you during your first few weeks of term.
It is really important that you do register with a GP here so that if you need an urgent appointment or out of hours care we can get you seen. In my experience it is always the students who ignore this advice who seem to have a medical crisis so please remember, you have been warned! I cannot impress upon you strongly enough how important it is to have your vaccinations up to date when you arrive. The sooner you are immunised against illnesses such as Mumps, Measles, Rubella and Meningitis, the safer you will be as it takes several weeks after an immunisation for the protection to take effect.
You will be receiving a health questionnaire in the next few weeks and please complete and return it. This is particularly important if you have any ongoing medical conditions which you would like support with. If you suffer from any major allergies and are at risk of anaphylactic shock it is essential that I know so that we can have a written plan available to all relevant staff in college. I would also strongly advise you to read the advice regarding immunisation and contact your GP at home to arrange this in good time for the start of term.
The role of the College nurse is very similar to a practice nurse. My surgery is on the ground floor in Red Building and I hold daily drop in surgeries. Students can also contact me via email to arrange booked appointments or home visits if necessary. Students come to see me with minor illnesses and injuries, for advice on sexual health and contraception, and management of chronic health conditions such as diabetes and asthma.
As a health promotion specialist I am committed to the prevention of illness as well as treating minor illnesses and injuries, so always welcome students who are well but would like advice or information on any aspect of health, be it physical or emotional. I am very fortunate in comparison with GPs in that I have more time to spend with each student to talk through concerns and worries.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and please do feel free to contact me before term starts or drop in anytime between 10 - 12.30 and 2 - 4 during Freshers week
Best wishes and a warm welcome
Jan Brighting, RGN, MSc