What Welfare is Available to you as a Clinical Student?
In the Clinical School
Me! Your Welfare Officer, Jontie. You can email, message, or facebook me, or find me around Clinical School (I am always up for a game of table tennis). No problem is too small!
Your Clinical School Family!
Hopefully, you met them in the first term of fourth year. As medics from the year above, they can have useful tips about exam stress and placement organisation.
Your Pastoral Advisor
They will be able to advise on how they decided on FPAS locations, SSC/SSPs, post-graduation specialities. Clinical placements can be daunting, so your pastoral advisor will also be a good person to talk to if you are struggling on the wards and are unsure how to make the most out of them.
Clinical Sub-dean for Student Welfare, Dr Fiona Cooke
“I started as SubDean in October 2020, having been a Director of Studies at Girton for over 15 years. I work as a Consultant Medical Microbiologist at Addenbrooke’s, and is also involved with SpR training and Royal College of Pathologist exams. My favourite bacteria is Salmonella (not from personal experience – it was the subject of my PhD!)”
Deputy Lead for Student Welfare, Dr Roger Petter
“I am an experienced GP and have worked in medical education for a long time. I have been a GP Trainer for 20 years, supervise at Queens’, and teach at the Clinical School. As well as working as Deputy Lead for Student Welfare, I also provide welfare support to CUH doctors as part of the “Doctors for Doctors” team. I play the violin and enjoy outdoor pursuits, particularly sailing, walking and cycling.”
The Clinical Student Mental Health Service
This is a Mental Health Service that has been commissioned by the Clinical School for Clinical Medical Students. It has been realised that as medical students we have an increased need for mental health services and need access to help quicker than other students.
The service provides confidential access to a Psychiatrist, and where appropriate a Psychologist, for any Clinical Student with a mental health problem requiring specialist advice. A referral is made from a student’s GP or via the University Occupational Health Service. Whilst the clinical school provides the funding and access, the school does not know who has accessed this service.
In Cambridge
The same support you had as an undergraduate is still in place, including the following:
Helplines
Cambridge Nightline (https://cambridge.nightline.ac.uk/)
Provides non-judgemental anonymous listening between 7PM and 7AM during term (hours may be reduced during lockdown).
Linkline (by email or telephone: 367575)
Offers confidential, anonymous, non-directive and non judgemental support. In operation everyday of Full Term, 7 pm to 8 am.
Samaritans (by telephone: 08457 909090)
In operation 24 hours a day.
Address for drop-in: 4 Emmanuel Road, Cambridge, CB1 1JW
Hours for drop-in: 10:30am to 10:30pm
If you’re interested in other Cambridge Resources (including resources for urgent help), Student Minds Cambridge have an amazing website at https://studentmindscambridge.wordpress.com/find-urgent-support/.
As a Doctor
BMA Counselling and Doctor Advice Service
This is a confidential, nationwide, non-stop advice and counselling for doctors and medical students. Talk through any issues which may be worrying you in total privacy, confident that you are getting the best possible support.
Visit their website or call them on 01455 254 189. They also have a good list of external websites where you may find help.
GLADD representatives
This is the Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists – this is a link to the GLADD website: http://www.gladd.co.uk/.
The British Doctors and Dentists Group for drug and alcohol users http://www.bddg.org/
The British International Doctors Association
Where cultural or linguistic problems may be a contributing factor, doctors can access the health counselling panel
Telephone: 0161 456 7828
Send them an email: oda@nulldoctors.org.uk
Doctors’ Support Network
Self-help group for doctors with any form of mental health concern. They also have a confidential, anonymous peer support telephone line (call 0844 395 3010). https://www.dsn.org.uk/
Sexual Health
Student Advice Service’s page on sexual health
iCash
The new integrated Cambridgeshire sexual health service is iCash and they can be found at the Lime Tree clinic at Broomfileds hospital on Mill road.
Telephone: 0300 300 3030
Website: http://www.icash.nhs.uk/
Beeline
Offering non-judgmental, confidential information and support from fully-trained male and female volunteers, on pregnancy, sexual health, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, being a student parent, childcare, abortion, adoption, contraception and emergency contraception
Send them an email or call (3)33179. Dial the first 3 if you are calling from a non-University phone. Free from University extensions In operation: Sat and Sun, 15:00 to 17:00, during Full Term. Recorded information at all other times.
Some more general resources:
Finances can be tough during Clinical School, but there is help available to try and make sure no-one needs to drop out for financial reasons. There are funds available from the NHS Bursary, Student Finance, Cambridge Bursary, and College bursaries (Hardship Fund, for sports).
Student Finance
In 4th year, you can apply for means-tested student finance support in the usual way. In 5th and 6th year, you apply in the usual way, but the maximum support is the non-means tested loan. To apply for loans and bursaries from Student Finance, log in or sign up here.
For more information on Student Finance, go to the Student Finance website. They can also be contacted via Twitter, on Facebook, or by telephone (0300 100 0607).
However, if you previously received the Cambridge Bursary, it may still be worth applying (see below).
NHS Bursary
NHS bursaries are available for different years depending what course you are on:
For undergraduate medicine, you can apply for years 5-6
For graduate medicine, you can apply for years 2-4
This is what you can apply for, depending on your circumstances and region:
English Students:
English students are entitled to full payment of their tuition fees and a non-means tested grant of £1000. You can also apply for a means-tested bursary along with other more specific grants e.g childcare allowance, disabled student allowances. Create a BOSS account, fill out the application form and then send in the required evidence by special delivery.
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-bursary-students/how-apply
Contact number: 0300 330 1345
Scottish students:
Scottish students apply to the SAAS. Tuition fees are paid for from your 5th year of study but you need to apply.
www.saas.gov.uk/index.htm
www.saas.gov.uk/_forms/sas4.pdf
Contact number: 0300 555 0505
Northern Irish students:
Northern Irish students apply to Student Finance Northern Ireland. You will be able to get a reduced rate, non-income assessed loan for the balance of your maintenance support. Student Finance will also pay your tuition fees to your university on behalf of DoH. There is also a means-tested bursary.
www.studentfinanceni.co.uk
Contact number: 0300 100 0077
Welsh students:
The Student Awards Services implements the NHS Wales Bursary Schemes. Again, you are entitled to tuition fees, a non-means tested grant of £1000 and a means-tested bursary.
www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
www.nwssp.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/1178/BURSARY%20RATES.pdf
Contact number: 029 2090 5380
EU students:
If you were NOT ordinarily resident in England on the first day of the first academic year of your course AND you were ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least three years prior to the start of your course, you are entitled to have only your tuition fees funded by the NHS bursary. Unfortunately you can’t apply for the means tested and non means tested grants.
Apply to NHSBSA www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-bursary-students/how-apply
Contact number: 0300 330 1345
Tips for applying:
The NHS bursary calculator can be unreliable so don’t completely trust it – it has reportedly overestimated bursaries in the past.
You can apply to Student Finance England to get a student loan but you are only eligible for a non-means-tested reduced maintenance loan – you won’t receive more from SFE if you forgo your NHS bursary so don’t!
Chase NHS bursaries if you haven’t heard back after 2 weeks upon sending in your evidence for the bursary.
Students receiving the Cambridge Bursary need to fill in a few more forms which should be on the Cambridge Bursary website – we’ve had trouble with this before so if you’re struggling, please just ask or contact your college!
Here are some guides to help with your application:
NHS Bursary Funding for Medical and Dental Students 2018/19
Completing your NHS Bursary application: a step-by-step guide to BOSS
Remember, you’re only applying for one year – you’ll need to apply again at roughly the same time for next year’s bursary.
If you are struggling to apply or have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us at welfare@nullclinsoc.co.uk
Happy applying!
Cambridge Bursary Scheme
You may be eligible for a Cambridge Bursary. Click here for more information or download the flyer for details.
If you have been previously eligible for the Cambridge Bursary and are now entering year 5 or 6, you will need to request means-testing to be undertaken by Student Finance England. This is because the University cannot use the NHS Bursary means-testing to confirm Cambridge Bursary eligibility. Click here for more information.
Other
The University’s official take on money and student life is here.
CUSU have created a useful webpage with more information about funding for which you may be eligible.
Your college tutor should be able to advise you about other sources of funding, including hardship funds for students in financial straits.
What are Schwartz Rounds?
We have medical rounds to discuss patients. Why not have a forum to talk about the emotional and social issues of caring for patients and their families?
We all need to take a step back to explore what drives us to care. What makes us compassionate? Who is the person behind the professional? How do we share the good experiences which make us all come to work?
Addenbrooke’s has been holding monthly Schwartz Rounds since 2014. Each starts with brief presentations on a particular patient case, or a theme around patient care, with an invitation to the audience to discuss and share their own experiences and perspectives. The session is treated in confidence by all those who attend.
Prof Alasdair Coles, clinical lead, says “Schwartz Rounds get to the heart of our work with patients: what motivates us, what infuriates us, and what helps us keep going…, being kind to our patients, our colleagues and ourselves”.
During 2020 we ran Schwartz Rounds geared particularly to address issues that ClinSoc committee members have suggested are pertinent issues for clinical students. We will be running more in 2021. All years are very welcome to attend, as are others who may wish to participate in the conversation.
Rounds are facilitated by members of a Steering Group comprising: Derek Fraser, Lead Chaplain; Alasdair Coles, Consultant Neurologist; Annabel Price, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, and Dr Susannah Hunt, Chaplain.
Past Events
Friday March 6th 2020. Pizza 12.45, Round 13.00 – 14.00 – Lecture theatre 2
Year 5 R&I H
“Seeing sub-optimal clinical practice and bullying, sexist or racist senior or patient behaviour: when should I say something?”
Tuesday March 17, 2020. Pizza 12.30, Round 12.45 – 13.45 – Lecture theatre 2
Year 4 R&I C
“Giving my family medical advice, emotional attachments to patients and taking clinical issues home”
Tuesday May 5th 2020. Pizza 12.30, Round 13.00 – 14.00 – Lecture theatre 2
Year 6, first week of Apprenticeship block
“Transition from medical student to junior doctor: anxieties, expectations and hopes”
Wednesday August 19th 2020. Pizza 13.15, Round 13.30 – 14.30 – Lecture theatre 2
Year 6 R&I K
“Post elective debrief: challenging and rewarding experiences”
Friday December 18th 2020. Pizza 12.30, Round 12.45 – 13.45 – Lecture Theatre 2
Year 4 R&I week B
“The challenges of being a clinical medical student”
Keep a look out for Welfare emails, which will detail the upcoming welfare events. There will be lots running through the year and we’re always open to ideas, so do contact if there’s something you’d like us to do!
In the Sherwood Room there is a box of board games. These games are for students to take on placement with them (they might relieve the boredom of those long nights in King’s Lynn!). We just ask that you keep them no longer than two weeks so that everyone has a chance to use them and that you try not to lose any pieces/components of the games!
If one of the games that you borrow has missing parts please just let us know so that we can try and sort it out!
