University health service

Where can you go if you need travel vaccinations for a field trip or elective? You may be looking for advice about how to reduce stress and improve your lifestyle. Or know a student who is showing symptoms of mental health problems and want to refer them to a health professional.

These are just a few of the scenarios in which the University Health Service can help. Designed to complement the services you receive from your own GP, the health service provides a range of services and advice to all staff and students.

The team consists of Dr Tom Dymock, Senior Nurses Fiona Grant and Linda Patterson and Department Secretary, Norma Smith. Dr Tom Dymock carries out a range of services including consultations for varying acute medical conditions. He also specialises in sports medicine and medical examinations for overseas travel.

Tom says, "We see ourselves as playing a very pro-active role in providing a range of health services for all staff and students at the University. We provide services and advice on preventative measures, such as healthy eating, exercise and anti-stress techniques and we also provide treatment and then rehabilitation for people who have become ill."

Linda Patterson provides advice and treatment for a variety of needs including travel health and healthy living initiatives. Linda also provides an occupational health service for staff, which includes provision of first aid training.

Staff and students who are experiencing a mental health problem, or deemed to be at risk of developing one, can receive help from Fiona Grant. Fiona deals with problems such as depression and other mental health issues. She says, "We want to make sure that staff are aware of what we do at the Health Service and encourage them to make sure that students know that we are here for them as well."

Linda and Fiona also play an educational role at the University and can provide information about their services at departmental or faculty meetings. Linda says, "We are keen to emphasise the combination of mental and physical health advice that we provide - whether it’s for stress-related health problems, healthy lifestyle advice or other issue."

The clinic is situated on the ground floor at 1 Cross Row. Appointments with Fiona, Linda or Tom can be booked by calling Norma Smith on (34)4168 or emailing n.z.smith@dundee.ac.uk.

The Health Service web site has all the latest information and is regularly updated with information about new services and events. www.dundee.ac.uk/studentservices/healthservices