Student electives

Elective service
Form completion
Tests
HIV PEP
Travel advice

Using our services to prepare for your elective

The Occupational Health Service will help you prepare for your elective by certifying vaccination records and carrying out blood tests to meet the health clearance requirements for your host hospital.

Obtaining occupational health clearance for your elective may require you to attend clinics for immunisations or additional tests. Therefore, it is imperative that you provide all required information to us at least three months before you intend to leave.

As we cannot fast track applications, it is your responsibility to:

ensure that you attend any appointments and collect any test results;
allow enough time (at least three months) for this process.

You will be given a medical elective health form, which you should complete to access our service.

Elective health form - you must provide this information at least three months before travel

Complete as much of your medical elective health form as possible. Refer to your occupational immunisation record which was given to you at the end of your first year and any other record of travel vaccinations. If you are unable to locate your occupational health immunisation record, we do keep records for each student. However, this may slow down the clearance process at busy times.
Bring your form to us together with any other information about specific clearance requirements sent by the host hospital for review and certification. We will contact you within five working days to collect your completed form. Alternatively, we may have to arrange an appointment if additional tests are necessary.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you attend any appointments and for collecting any test results.

Tests that might be required

MRSA swabs

Host hospitals in countries including Australia and New Zealand require that you are free of MRSA. This can be done for you during a routine booked appointment. The swab is usually taken two weeks after your last contact with a patient and before you go on your elective. Allow up to 2 weeks for the return of your results.

Mantoux test

A number of hospitals in the USA request that a mantoux test is performed. This is not something that the Occupational Health Service would repeat as it is not a clinical requirement in the UK. However we can offer a standard signed letter stating the date of your BCG vaccination and visible scar test and that therefore repeating the screening (mantoux) test is not necessary.

Chest x-ray

A number of hospitals in the USA require that you have a chest x-ray to prove that you are not infected with Tuberculosis. A chest x-ray request form is obtained from the Occupational Health Service which can then be taken to specified local hospitals We require five working days to provide an x-ray form. You must pay for the x-ray at the time of the private appointment.

Blood tests for immunity to infection

Certain hospitals may require evidence of tests of immunity for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) even though you have already received two MMR immunisations. If a MMR blood test is required, an appointment will be made for you and you will be able to collect the result approximately two weeks later.

Medical examination

Some hospitals insist on a medical examination. If this is necessary, the Occupational Health Advisor will arrange an appointment for you with the Physician. The University outsources the services of an Occupational Health Physician, therefore you will be charged £195 for this report.

HIV post-exposure prophylaxis - emergency treatment packs

If your elective placement is in a country where there is a high incidence of HIV then Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) may be required. You will receive information and advice regarding this from the Faculty Medical Elective Co-ordinator who will issue you with a private prescription.

Travel health advice

You will need to arrange any routine travel immunisations with your GP or travel health provider of your choice allowing sufficient time for the completion of immunisation schedules. You may also require anti-malarial medication for the time you are abroad. These are available over the counter or on private prescription. You will be expected to pay for all costs related to your travel health requirements.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICE

Health and safety

Specific safety themes