The Medical Centre

Healthcare at Wellington College

The Medical Centre is next to Apsley House, has 9 bedrooms, full day facilities and is staffed for 24 hours each day by a team of 10 nurses. Male and female pupils are nursed in separate areas and there is also a clinical isolation bedroom for use if required. The Medical Centre staff are trained to deal with both illnesses and injuries that may occur to pupils, staff or visitors on site. Many of the nurses have a specialist qualification so that the Medical Centre can offer asthma clinics, sexual health and smoking cessation advice, travel and vaccination advice, diabetes monitoring and other important advisory services. The Nursing Team have a wealth of experience between them and are parents themselves.

A physiotherapist attends the medical centre every weekday afternoon. This service is run under a private contract but covered by school BUPA. The College also employs a counsellor who is particularly experienced at working with teenagers.

Unwell pupils

If a pupil becomes unwell whilst they are in College they are assessed by the nurses on duty in the Medical Centre and may be given appropriate medication, advised and asked to return to College or they might be looked after in the Medical Centre. Occasionally the pupil may return to their own bed in house if appropriate and with the agreement of the residing Housematron. Housemasters and Housemistresses are made aware of any unwell pupil being cared for in the Medical Centre. In the event that a pupil needs to be kept in the Medical Centre for more than a few hours the nurse will make every effort to contact parents and to discuss the best plan for recovery.

The Medical Centre serves both Boarders and Day pupils. Day pupils who feel unwell also present at the Medical Centre and the nurse on duty decides whether parents should be contacted and asked to collect the pupil. We do not expect parents to rush to collect an unwell child and are more than happy to care for poorly pupils. Should a boarder become unwell during the night, the Housemaster/mistress telephones and accompanies the pupil to the Medical Centre.

The Doctors

The Medical Centre works in partnership with Ringmead Medical Practice, Bracknell. The doctors hold morning surgeries from Monday to Friday and the Medical Officer, Dr Anant Sachdev, oversees clinical practice in the Medical Centre and is responsible for the medical well-being of the College community. The Medical Centre also has a secretary who oversees the management of the medical records and other administration. All boarding pupils are automatically registered with the College GP surgery. Day pupils are given the option to remain registered with their local family GP surgery. Doctor appointments are available usually between 8.00am and 9.00am every day. A female doctor is available two mornings each week.

Other appointments

The Medical Centre runs a scheme whereby pupils who live too far away for parents to transport them are escorted by a Wellington ‘driver’ to various appointments. For example, hospital consultant referrals both NHS and private, or the local Accident and Emergency Department. A small fee is charged for this service.

We do not provide routine dental care for pupils. However, pupils who may need emergency dental care can be seen by a local dentist for an appropriate fee. Orthodontic treatment can be arranged.

Local opticians are also willing to provide emergency optometric services.

Medication

The Medical Centre nurses administer simple ‘over the counter’ medications for minor illnesses and injuries. Housematrons can also give simple analgesia to pupils under the direction of the qualified nursing staff. Prescription medication required by pupils registered with the College GP practice is delivered by a local pharmacy, arranged through the Medical Centre.

We ask that medication from abroad is not brought to Wellington. If medication is required then the GP can prescribe the UK equivalent. We also request that homeopathic medications are not brought into College.

Any vaccinations that a pupil may require including routine immunisations, seasonal influenza and travel vaccinations can be provided by the Medical Centre.

Contacts

The Medical Centre 01344 444111
medical@wellingtoncollege.org.uk

The Nurse in Charge :

Sr Bev Gilbert
BJG@wellingtoncollege.org.uk

Ringmead Medical Practice :

Birch Hill Medical Centre
0844 477 3609