Welcome to Reading! Get the best out of your time at University of Reading or Reading College, by keeping well and knowing where to go if illness or stress strikes.
Student life can be exciting but can also bring its own stresses, especially if you are living away from home for the first time. Added to this are the challenges of the pandemic. So we’ve compiled this handy guide to help you find NHS and wellbeing services in Reading.
Covid-19
Local doctors
University students can join University of Reading Health Centre
Use NHS Find a GP search tool to find other Reading surgeries.
Many appointments are being offered over the phone due to Covid rules. Busy surgeries may advise you to try other services first like NHS 111 or pharmacies.
NHS 111 helpline
Call 111 at any time of the day or night if you need medical advice, if you can't get hold of your GP, or you're not sure if your problem is urgent. The service can:
give simple self-help advice
arrange for you to speak to a clinician
book you in to see an out-of-hours GP
book you an appointment at A&E
advise how to get help for urgent dental problems
help you find all all-night local pharmacy
order an ambulance.
NHS 111 Website
Visit https://111.nhs.uk, type in your symptoms and get immediate advice.
NHS Reading Walk-In Centre, Broad Street Mall
The walk-in service at the centre has been temporarily suspended since 1 April 2021. The permanent GP surgery at the centre is still running, by appointment only.
Pharmacies
Use the NHS Find a Pharmacy search tool to find nearest pharmacies, including those open late for urgent prescriptions. Pharmacies can offer:
help and advice on a range of minor ailments – like sore throats or skin problems
emergency contraception
flu or Covid vaccinations (check before you visit, not all pharmacies do these)
repeat prescription management.
NHS Dentists
Due to Covid-19, many dentists are reporting limited availability for patients.
University Dental Surgery, behind the University Health Centre, sees NHS patients.
0118 975 9660
Other local NHS dentists
Use the NHS ‘Find a dentist’ search tool to see which are seeing new NHS patients.
Out-of-hours dental services
For emergency dental problems, call 111 to find a local urgent treatment centre
Emotional & Mental Health Support
University of Reading:
Counselling & Wellbeing Team is running video appointments due to Covid-19.
Student Welfare Team: Call or drop in to get advice and support with a range of issues, such as settling in, bullying, drugs or alcohol, of help for victims of violence
Reading College:
Student Support: The college offers free and confidential counselling to students from experienced professionals
NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies
You can self-refer to get help for anxiety, depression, stress or phobias, such as:
online self-guided therapy courses
17-25 'stress less' online video
Life after Lockdown workshops
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Counselling
Call Talking Therapies on 0300 365 2000, or
Visit the Talking Therapies website.
No 5:
You can self-refer to this free counselling service for 10-25-year-olds in Reading.
Call 0118 901 5668, or
Visit the website.
Sexual Health & Contraception
Visit the Safe Sex Berkshire website for information on how to:
order a test kit for sexully transmitted infections to be sent to your home
know your contraception choices
find emergency contraception
get advice if you are pregnant
book an appointment at a sexual health clinic (drop-ins have stopped due to Covid)
get help and support after a sexual assualt or rape
Life-Threatening Emergencies
Call 999, or
Go to Royal Berkshire Hospital’s A&E, Craven Road, Reading, RG1 5AN.
Emergencies can include loss of consciousness, suspected heart attack or stroke, severe breathing difficulties, severe bleeding that doesn't stop and broken limbs.
If you're unsure if your problem is an emergency call 111, the NHS helpline.
Drug & Alcohol Services
Change, Grow, Live is the Reading drug and alcohol service for people aged 18+. Its drop-in service is closed due to Covid, but it is offering:
phone appointments
support group meetings via Zoom
prescriptions
needle exchange
Call 0118 955 7333.
Charities & Support Groups
Berkshire Women’s Aid (BWA)
Help and support for people experiencing domestic abuse.
Call 0118 950 4003 or
Visit the website.
SupportU
This local LGBT+ charity runs a helpline, groups (currently online) and counselling.
Call 0118 321 9111 or
Visit the website.
Other charities
Visit the Reading Services Guide an online directory run by Reading Borough Council of local organisations offering information, advice and support.
International students
TB testing
Young adults arriving from certain countries in the UK are eligible for a simple test from the Royal Berkshire Hospital to check for 'sleeping' tuberculosis.
Visit this hospital webpage to find out more.
Health care costs
People coming to study in the UK from another country may have to pay a 'healthcare surcharge' as part of their student visa application to cover the costs of any NHS hospital care. (Costs don't apply for NHS GP services, which are free for anyone).
Information can be found on this webpage of the UK Government website.