School of Human Health Sciences

The Occupational Health Service covers healthcare students on the following courses:

Health Professionals Foundation, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Operating Department Practitioner, Physiotherapy, Podiatry Full and Part Time.

We have agreed Service Standards under which we operate with the School.

What services do we provide to these students?

Pre training health clearance 

Vaccinations and blood tests as advised by the Department of Health

Referrals from academic staff 

Self referrals 

Pre training health clearance

All prospective students for the detailed health care courses are required to undergo a pre training health assessment.  This is administered by the School of Human & Health Sciences (SHHS) and returned in confidence to the Occupational Health Department.  You are requested to provide as much detail as possible on this form in order to avoid any delays in processing your form.  The form is screened by one of the Occupational Health team and if further information is required you will be contacted.   Should there be any need for follow up assessment the prospective student is contacted by Occupational Health.  When clearance is issued this is provided to SHHS and to the individual in writing to the address supplied on the form.  If there are any recommendations relating to health to assist the student with their studies or with placement activities these are discussed with the student prior to release to SHHS.  Guidelines on pre training health assessment, all students Protect Yourself Student vaccination information. For Midwives and Operating Department Practioners only EPP Protect Yourself Student vaccination information.

If you have any queries about completion of the form please contact the Occupational Health Department.

Vaccinations & Blood tests

All students studying on the healthcare courses detailed above are required by The Department of Health to undergo certain tests / vaccinations if they do not have proof of their immunity. This will be done at the Occupational Health Department once you have commenced the course if you have not already had them elsewhere (GP or other occupational health provider).  This is both for the protection of the healthcare worker and the public.  These tests / vaccinations are as follows:

Tuberculosis (BCG)
If you do not have a scar on your upper arm and have never had the BCG vaccination or you do not have recorded evidence of immunity by a heaf, mantoux or tine test you will be required to have a mantoux test with us, if the test is negative you will be required to have the BCG vaccination.

Varicella Zoster (Chicken Pox)
If you have no history of chicken pox or shingles a blood test will determine whether two vaccinations are necessary.  These are followed by a further blood test to check for immunity.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella
You need to have two documented doses of the full Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination to be considered immune. If you have not had two doses of the MMR vaccination you will be sent a letter prior to commencing the course asking you to attend your GP surgery to have these done.

Hepatitis B
This vaccination is recommended for all healthcare workers in order to protect them from the Hepatitis B virus. Normally a course of three vaccinations followed by a blood test is sufficient to confirm immunity. Some people require a further dose and a blood test and a few need a repeat course.

Further detailed information about each of the vaccination requirements detailed above can be found in the Green Book.  

NB Health care students may also be offered the influenza vaccine by their GP practice if they fit specific criteria or by their placement providers.  It is not provided by the Occupational Health Department.  We do not provide any other vaccinations e.g. for travel - for this you should check with your GP.

Exposure Prone Procedure Clearance (applies to Operating Department Practitioner and Midwifery students only). 

In addition to vaccination requirements detailed these students are required under Department of Health Guidelines to undergo some additional tests before they are allowed to go into clinical practice.  For students on either of these courses an initial blood test to exclude the following infections is mandatory:

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV

If you are concerned about having any of the above tests or vaccinations carried out please contact the Occupational Health Department to speak to one of the Occupational Health nurses in confidence.

Department of Health guidance for healthcare workers: Health clearance for tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV: New healthcare workers 

Academic Staff referrals of students to Occupational Health

If a student has a health problem that is affecting their studies either academically or in placement a member of the academic staff is advised to refer the student to occupational health for advice on further support.  Occupational Health provides support and advice in the following areas:

Adjustments to help individuals whilst studying at the University and whilst on placement.

Advice on where to obtain further help and support.

Guidelines for completing human and health student referral form for academic staff.

Occupational Health *New* School of Human & Health student referral form                     

Student self referral to Occupational Health

If the student has a health concern that they feel they cannot discuss with a member of the academic staff they can refer themselves to the Occupational Health Department.

Further help and support

Student Services at the University of Huddersfield provide several forms of assistance to students. These include counselling and 'back on track' assistance as well as support and adjustments for disabilities affecting individual studies.  Where placement advice related to disabilities is required for teaching related courses this comes under the remit of the Occupational Health team.