Services for Students

Students access Occupational Health (OH) through a referral by the University. Referrals occur for a number of reasons:

• Pre-Placement Health Assessment (PPHA)
  Students on particular programmes of study, mainly, though not exclusively, those with professional placements in clinical or education settings, will be asked to undertake Pre- Placement Health Assessment (PPHA). For some subjects, this is a paper-based exercise, while for others, students will be required to attend an in-person appointment. For clinical students, screening will include an assessment of vaccination status. PPHA’s must be completed before a student’s first placement. In rare cases, issues arise in a PPHA which means that a student cannot proceed to placement. If this happens, we will work with the student to understand the best current and future study options for them.
  
  
• As part of a referral under the Fitness to Practise Policy
  If there are concerns about a student’s ability to undertake or continue in a practice setting as part of their programme of study, the School may refer the student to OH. It is the role of OH to make recommendations to the University about the student’s fitness to practice; however, it will be the decision of the University to decide if the student is fit to practise. This decision will include input from a range of sources including OH, as well as professional body requirements. 
  
  
• As part of a referral under the Support to Study Policy
  From time to time, concerns are raised about a student’s health, to the extent that there are questions about whether or not now is the right time for the student to be studying at university. Again, a referral is not mandatory under the process, and the recommendations from OH are one part of the decision-making process.
• As part of a referral for Health Surveillance
  Following receipt of a referral from University Safety Services, Occupational Health will deliver health surveillance of students. This involves the periodic clinical and physiological assessment of individuals for exposure to workplace hazards, as identified by organisational risk assessment, and of those engaged in activities that carry a health risk or posts that, by statute or occupation, have particular health requirements.

A huge number of appointments are wasted each year simply because they are missed. Please make sure that you keep, rearrange or cancel your appointment. The earlier that you cancel the better. If you have no other choice but to cancel your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible.

Occupational Health delivers immunisations/vaccinations to students on particular programmes of study.  This may include medical, dental, nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, social work and research students.  They ensure that all relevant students are screened and vaccinated as necessary according to the programme of study, with any appropriate restrictions, in line with relevant Department of Health guidelines and requirements.

Occupational Health provides advice to Queen’s on the relevant immunisation programmes, and participates in the delivery of the programme.  Immunisations/vaccinations required may include, but are not limited to, recommended vaccinations as set out in the Green Book for staff entering the Health Service and as per UKHSA guidance.

Where Queen’s risk assessment process identifies a risk to a student travelling abroad as a mandatory part of their programme of study, the school manager may refer the student to Occupational Health for onward referral to a dedicated Travel Clinic for advice and/or vaccinations.

Students are expected to access vaccinations for non-mandatory course-related travel through their own GP or a recognised Travel Vaccination Clinic.

Action to be taken following:

• needlestick/sharps/splash injury with exposure to potentially infectious material; or
• splash of human body fluid to eyes/mouth; or
• human scratch/bite.

STEP 1

Apply first aid measures and immediate irrigation.

STEP 2

For wounds:

• encourage bleeding – DO NOT SUCK;
• wash well under running water using soap – DO NOT SCRUB;
• cover with a dry dressing.

For splash incidents:

• if the splash incident is in the mouth: rinse mouth out several times with cold water – DO NOT SWALLOW;
• if the splash incident is into the eyes: remove contact lenses (if applicable), irrigate eyes well with cold, running water.

STEP 3

• Report the incident to your line manager or supervisor.
• In conjunction with your manager/supervisor, assess the blood-borne virus (BBV) infection risk – this will depend on the nature of the hazard associated with the incident. Record details of the source of the (potentially) infectious material, if known.

STEP 4

If the incident was caused by an unused, clean sharp which is definitely uncontaminated:

• complete an accident report form, and, if concerned, seek further advice as below.

If the incident was caused by a source where BBV status is unknown, for example:

• used or dirty sharp;
• human bite or scratch;
• human bodily fluid splash to the eye or mucous membranes;
• contamination of a cut or open skin lesion;
• contact below as soon as possible.

If the incident was caused by a source where BBV status is known to be HIV / HEP B or HEP C positive, for example:

• used or dirty sharp;
• human bite or scratch;
• human bodily fluid splash to the eye or mucous membranes;
• contamination of a cut or open skin lesion.

Immediately contact below.

If injured on Queen’s site or a non-hospital site, contact:

QUB Occupational Health, Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm

T: 028 9504 0275

If injured on a hospital site, contact the Trust’s OH department.

If injured outside QUB Occupational Health working hours, contact the closest Accident & Emergency department:

• Royal Victoria Hospital - 02890 240503;
• Mater Hospital - 02890 741211;
• Ulster Hospital - 02890 484511

Blood-borne virus risk may arise from:

• human blood;
• amniotic fluid;
• cerebrospinal fluid;
• breast milk;
• pericardial fluid;
• peritoneal fluid;
• pleural fluid;
• blood stained saliva;
• synovial fluid;
• semen;
• vaginal secretions;
• unfixed human tissue;
• any visibly bloodstained fluid;
• exudate from burns or skin lesions.

and can be introduced via any break in the skin (needle, bite, cut) or a splash to the eye or mouth.

Please feel free to print and display this poster in your department.

The Occupational Health Service supports the Student Wellbeing team with advice and guidance. Please check the Student Wellbeing website for more information.

Details of how to make a complaint, as well as how to leave general feedback about the service, can be found here.

General opening hours are Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm. This service does not operate during the university’s holiday periods.

We are located at:

Occupational Health

5 Lennoxvale

Belfast

BT9 5BY

please see Campus Plan for more information.

Students are referred by their school either through a Pre Placement Health Assessment (PPHA) or as part of the Fitness to Practice Procedure or Support to Study Process. Outside of these processes, students cannot self-refer to Occupational Health.

If you have been required to take a period of absence due to ill health, you should contact your school ahead of returning so that a referral can be made, if required, to Occupational Health.

Managers/Principle Investigators/school safety officers should forward the risk assessment to Occupational Health, who will make the appropriate arrangements.

No, Occupational Health does not provide a primary care service. Guidance for students on accessing a GP (including at the University Health Centre) is available here: Staying Healthy During Your Time at Queen’s.

Yes. We are bound by strict rules regarding confidentiality and clinical information will only be shared with your informed consent. For more information see the University's Data Protection webpage.

No, Occupational Health is not a counselling service. If you require support, please contact the Student Wellbeing Service. Free confidential support for students is available via the Psychological Therapies and Counselling Service provided by Inspire.

Yes, staff can have access to their own medical record through a written request under the Data Protection Act. These details can only be released to third parties, such as a solicitor, on receipt of the informed written consent of the student, or by a court order.

Please see our needlestick/sharps injury guidance. To obtain urgent advice, please contact us between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

A master list of University First Aiders is maintained and managed by the University Safety Service.

Locate your First Aider here.