Information for parents and carers

Find out what a child or dependent should do if they are coming to the University with a medical condition.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

My child or dependent has a medical condition. Should they stay registered at their home GP practice?

It is usually best to register at the Students' Health Service. There may be a few exceptions. For example, if they are waiting for treatment locally, or they are prescribed medication that is not normally available on the NHS.

We can usually refer new patients to local out-patient departments in Bristol hospitals. When they arrive in Bristol, they need to bring their most recent clinic letters and book a routine appointment with one of our doctors.

What if my child or dependent requires repeat medication?

They need to book a routine appointment with one of our clinicians to discuss their medication. The easiest way to do this (once registered) is to download the NHS App.

Make sure they have sufficient medication with them when they arrive in Bristol until they can attend an appointment.

Can I speak to the Students’ Health Service about my child or dependent’s medical problems?

If the patient is aged 18 or over, we can't discuss any medical issue with you without their consent. You can contact us to tell us important information, even if we can't disclose information to you.

They can give consent in writing by emailing bnssg.shsadmin@nhs.net. They can do this when they first register with us or when they talk to a GP. We will put it on their record.

This consent is valid for 6 months. If they wish it to continue, they need to contact us to renew their consent.

Will medication be impacted during the University vacations?

We can supply medication over the holidays and can send electronic prescriptions on-line to most UK locations except Wales and Northern Ireland.

I am studying at University of Bristol and I have dependents living with me. Can I register my family at the Students’ Health Service?

You can register your partner and children under 18.

What additional support is available at the University of Bristol beyond the Students' Health Service?

Access further information on available support via the Student Wellbeing Service.

If you are a parent or carer and want to speak to the University directly about your child or dependent, check what the University can tell you.

How do I tell the practice something about my child or dependent’s health?

You can email us confidentially at bnssg.shsadmin@nhs.net. However, we can't answer questions without the patient's consent.

Carers

A carer is anyone who provides help and support to a partner, relative, child, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help due to physical or mental illness, disability, or addiction. 

Anyone can become a carer at any age. Many people don’t think of themselves as carers; they just look after someone close to them. Caring often just happens to you, as you find that someone close to you gradually needs more help. There are thousands of unpaid carers in Bristol.

You may be a carer whether or not you live in the same house as the person you care for. If you receive a Carers Allowance or a direct payment to enable you to buy a service or equipment to help you in your caring role you are still a carer. If the person you care for, moves to live in a residential or nursing home you may still be a carer if you spend time managing their affairs and making sure that they are well cared for.

Tell your GP if you are a carer

Ask at reception to register yourself as a carer with the practice.

You can register for a Carers Emergency Card if the person you care for pays Council Tax in Bristol. This helps if you are taken seriously ill or have an accident. Anyone who finds you can call the Emergency Communications Team. This team can provide up to 72 hours of care for that person you care for in their own home.

Get a carers assessment and the services you need

You may also need practical support to care. The best place to start looking for help is your local social services department.

In Bristol, social services for adults are called Adult Health and Social Care. Contact Bristol City Council Care and support for adults in Bristol to refer yourself and/or the person you care.

If you are not receiving any services to help with your caring responsibilities from the council or NHS, you may benefit from a 'carers simple assessment'. Carers simple assessments can lead to funding for you to take a break from caring, or for equipment to help you in your caring role. For independent advice about whether a carers assessment is right for you, contact Carers Support.

Find out what you are entitled to

The benefit system is complicated and finding out what you are entitled to can be difficult. For example, many people who are eligible for Carers Allowance are not aware of it and miss out as a result.

If you want advice on what you might be entitled to, contact Carers Support. They will also be able to make sure the person you look after isn’t missing out on any of their entitlements.

Contact your local Carers’ Support Centre

The Carers’ Support Centre is a local charity that provides information, advice and advocacy on any aspect of caring and local support services that might be useful. This includes help with carers assessments, volunteer sitting service, pamper days and subsidized carers holidays to give carers some time off from caring.

They can put you in touch with other organisations that offer specialist support, for example support for carers of people with dementia, mental health problems, recovering from a stroke or dealing with drug and alcohol problems.

For information or advice, contact the Carers Support.

Tell people at work you are a carer

Juggling work and looking after someone can be difficult. Having an understanding and knowledgeable employer or manager can make this easier. Telling work you are a carer is not always an easy step, and you might feel it depends on whether your employer is likely to be supportive. However, there may be existing support you are not aware of, colleagues may be supportive or they may even be in a similar caring situation themselves.

As a carer you have the legal right to request flexible working to help you balance caring and work responsibilities. Your employer must seriously consider this request. You also have the right to have time off in an emergency to care for someone.

You have the right to take a ‘reasonable’ amount of time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependent. This right also includes some protection from victimization and dismissal. It is at the employer’s discretion whether the leave is paid or unpaid.

Talk to someone about how being a carer affects you

It is important to be aware of the effect that caring has on you and your own health. Talking about this can help or be the first step to getting the support that you need. The Carers Support Centre provides free specialist counselling and telephone befriending services, and carers’ groups that meet regularly across the city to share practical ideas, support and friendship. To find out more about these options, contact Carers Support.

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