Health, safety & security

Information about the University’s Health, Safety and Security policy is available on the website.

As this is a professional programme there are additional requirements in relation to health and safety.

In order to maintain safety for students for whom lone working is part of their placement experience, the Department provides guidance which is available on the Student Safety website.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought additional health and safety considerations for students going out onto placement. Although no placement is completely without risk whilst Covid-19 is still present, the evidence to date indicates that most healthcare students are at a low risk of experiencing severe symptoms from Covid-19 infection (Council of Deans of Health, 2020). However, some students may be at increased risk and a risk assessment approach is adopted. You are therefore encouraged to engage with any Departmental processes that help to support your safety and well-being at any stage of your programme.

In relation to health and safety whilst on placement, please follow Trust policy. 

Occupational health

Please note the Department has a contract with OH Works Ltd, so please do not contact University or hospital-based Occupational Health services as they do not provide a service to Health Sciences students.

As part of the admissions process, you underwent Occupational Health screening organised by the Department of Health Sciences. This assessed pre-existing conditions which had been declared to determine suitability for the programme and identified any adjustments which may be required in practice. The Fitness to Practise Committee co-ordinates the outcomes of OH screening and makes recommendations for how these adjustments can be supported in practice.

It is your responsibility to inform the Department of any change in relation to your health or disability status to ensure you are adequately supported throughout your period of study and meet the professional requirements of the PSRB. In the first instance this would normally be your personal supervisor who is responsible for your pastoral care.

Likewise, if the Department becomes concerned about a change in your health or disability status, your supervisor will discuss this with you. In either case, your supervisor will provide support and advice and will consider whether the change in your health or disability status requires further discussion with the relevant committee. 

Referrals to occupational health and monitoring

Any supervisor or student who requests an Occupational Health assessment must do so via the Fitness to Practise Committee. Supervisors, practitioners or students themselves must not refer any student directly to OH.

Following discussion with the student, supervisors will complete the Fitness to Practise supervisor referral form. This information will be incorporated into the Occupational Health referral form by the Chair/Deputy Chair of Fitness to Practise Committee.

Referrals to OH will be made and monitored by the Fitness to Practise Committee, whilst ensuring that confidentiality is maintained. Once referred to Occupational Health, there is an expectation to attend as this has been deemed necessary to support your progression. Students should liaise with OHWorks Ltd if they are unable to attend for any reason. Failure to attend an Occupational Health assessment may delay the start of your practice placement and you will be charged for the cost of the appointments.

Following an Occupational Health assessment, students must consent to release their assessment report to the Fitness to Practise Committee. Students are expected to liaise with OHWorks Ltd to confirm their consent within an appropriate timeframe. Any delays in consent being given may result in the Committee being unable to determine fitness to practise.

Upon receipt of the Occupational Health report, the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Fitness to Practise Committee will consider any restrictions or adjustments to the programme which may be required.

For more information refer to the Fitness to Practise Committee website.

Occupational health and return from leave of absence

If you are returning from leave of absence taken on health grounds you must provide medical evidence to confirm your fitness to return to the programme. This medical evidence is screened by the Chair of the Fitness to Practise Committee. This may mean that advice needs to be sought from, or referral made to, OH. In certain circumstances the Department will have set OH assessment as a condition of your return from leave of absence to determine your fitness for the remainder of your programme.

Immunisation and vaccination requirements

Department of Health guidelines require that all new healthcare workers (including students) have standard health clearance checks for immunity and have appropriate vaccinations for relevant infectious diseases. This is to protect both student and service user. A range of immunity checks (e.g. blood or skin testing or documented history of previous infection or vaccination) are carried out and individual requirements for vaccination (e.g. full course or boosters) are planned by Occupational Health for each student at commencement of the programme.

Further information on the Department of Health Sciences Guidelines for immunisation requirements can be found on our Occupational Health webpages.

Students therefore must provide information and attend appointments for vaccinations and tests when required. Occupational Health send requests to students University e-mail accounts and students are expected to be vigilant for such requests and to respond promptly.

Non-compliance with vaccination and immunisation requests is monitored by the Fitness to Practise Committee and may result in suspension from practice. 

Exposure prone procedures

In response to guidance from the UK Department of Health, the Department has arrangements with OH in place for the support and guidance of any student who may need to avoid exposure prone procedures.  All students will receive training early in the programme about the prevention of occupational transmission of blood borne viruses and what steps to take if they have any worries or concerns about infection. Students in any doubt about these issues should contact their supervisor as soon as possible.

Travel abroad

You should be aware that if you have visited an ‘at-risk’ country (as defined by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)) during your programme or prior to commencement, then you must follow national and local healthcare organisations’ guidance regarding OH or quarantine, inform your supervisor and seek advice from the Fitness to Practise Committee.

Annual enrolment

You are required to declare any changes to your health status since admission to the programme when re-enrolling online. Any declared changes trigger a notification to the Fitness to Practise Committee and this will be followed up with the student and supervisor.