Many of you will be living away from home for the first time, and although fast food and microwave food options are going to be very tempting, you cannot base your diet around these. Not only is this lifestyle expensive, your health WILL suffer. Of course you should make sure to treat yourself every once in a while but do not make it a habit. Instead, take turns with your housemates cooking healthy meals. You will find yourself healthier, with a bit of change in your back pocket at the end of the week. For an overall improvement in your health, get active! Going for a walk, a kick around with your friends, or even better, getting involved with a sports club or society in college, will get that heart pumping and will make you feel a lot more relaxed than you ever could imagine.

From the word go in first year, there is a huge temptation to go out every night. While I don’t discourage this, I do recommend that you take it easy. If you are going out two nights in a week, try and limit your alcohol intake to one night. That way, you are still having the craic but saving money and sparing yourself the hangover the next day.

Medical Centre:

Should any health problems arise throughout the year, we have a fantastic Medical Centre located on the first floor of the Student Centre. Here you can see the nurse, by appointment, free of charge. You can also make an appointment to see a doctor which, on presenting your in-date student ID card, is only ten euro (or free if you have a medical card). The staff in the Medical Centre are really friendly and very experienced in dealing with students. They have seen and heard it all, so never feel embarrassed to talk to them about any concerns that you might have.

The Medical Centre offers services such as contraceptive advice, vaccinations, blood tests, removal of stitches, dressing changes etc.

Where:

Student Centre 1^st Floor

When:

Nurse available by appointment:

Mon-Thurs 8.30am-4.30pm

Fri 8.30am-3.30pm

Doctor available by appointment.

Contact:

Receptionist Marian Walsh: 021 433 5780

Nurse Eileen Clarke: 021 433 5782

Ring either number to arrange an appointment with the nurse or doctor. If it is urgent that you see the doctor on the day that you are calling, it is recommended that you ring before 10am.

How Much:

€10 fee to see the doctor, free to those with a medical card (don’t forget to bring it with you). No fee to see the nurse. You will have to show your student ID card when availing of the medical service. Any advice on health problems or procedures can be made through the nurse. If you would like to talk to someone about nutrition, the nurse is also there to help. A Sexual Health Clinic runs on Tuesday afternoons by appointment, as well as a Sports Injury Clinic on Wednesday mornings by appointment.

Doctors:

Doctors attend the Medical Centre on a seasonal basis each day for any student that may require their services. They work on an appointment basis only.

Doctor Hilda O’Shea

Special interest in dermatology and travel medicine, by appointment.

Doctor Joe Hartnet

General Medicine and Men’s Health, by appointment.

Doctor John O’Riordan

Special interest in sports medicine, by appointment.

Dr Frank Hill

General Medicine, by appointment.

Dr Jackie Cantillon

Sexual Health and Well Woman Care, by appointment.

Dr Paul Deasy

Special interest in Mental Health by appointment.

In addition to the normal consultation with the doctor or nurse for illness or injury, the Health Centre provides many other services such as:

• · Health education and advice on nutrition and lifestyle
• · Advice on family planning and smears
• · Application forms for medical cards and health services
• · Cryosurgery for warts and verruca’s
• · Travel medicines and meningitis C & mumps vaccines
• · Referrals for physiotherapy and counselling
• · Referrals for sexual health screening
• · Hepatitis Vaccine (charge applicable)