Medical Certificates - Guidelines for Departments

The Student Health Centre has issued the following advice to Departments:

1. Guidelines
   Detailed guidelines as to when the Student Health Centre will issue medical certificates are given below. Students should self-certify for shorter absences. Tutors, in particular, need to be made aware of these guidelines. Certificates are sent only at the request of the student, and are sent direct to the Departmentss.
2. Trivial illness
   We are concerned about the length of time some students are taking off with trivial illness. Students need to be made more aware of the importance of attending their courses and examinations even if they do feel under the weather.
3. Timing
   Students need to visit or contact the Health Centre once their time off due to an illness goes over the one week allowed for self certification rather than weeks later.
4. Exact extent to which performance is affected
   Many illnesses we see have to be evaluated on the basis of the patient's history rather than on clinical signs, particularly in the cases of fatigue, pain or distress. We are often, therefore, unable to be very precise as to the degree of incapacity.
5. Non-medical problems
   
   1. Social - social problems including attending family funerals or noisy halls keeping students awake should be reported directly to the Department.
   2. Counselling - students who have been receiving counselling from the Wellbeing Centre over matters affecting their work should ask the counsellor involved to supply an appropriate letter.
6. Certification by nursing sisters
   Many students with minor ailments who do not have an appointment are seen by our Nursing Sisters who are empowered in these circumstances to issue medical certificates.
7. Glandular fever
   90% of the adult population have had glandular fever as demonstrated by antibody testing. Most are not aware that they have had it, ie glandular fever is often a very trivial illness. A certificate merely confirming a diagnosis of glandular fever is, therefore, meaningless.
8. Suspension
   Students should see one of the Medical Officers before a final decision is made of suspension on medical grounds.

Provision of Medical Certificates

The doctors at the Student Health Centres will provide written medical certificates to Departmentss under the following circumstances. The Nursing Sisters are also empowered to issue certificates relating to minor ailments.

1. If a student has, due to illness, been continuously absent from their course for a period of more than one week. Shorter absences should be reported directly to the Department by the student. The only exception to this is for students on Teaching Practice who may require certificates for shorter absences.
2. If a student is, due to illness, late handing in work by more than one week. Reasons for shorter delays in handing in work should be reported directly to the Department.
3. If a student's work has, due to illness, been significantly affected over a prolonged period (several weeks or more).
4. If a student is, due to illness, unable to attend an examination contributing more than 10% to their end of year mark (for the module).
5. If a student's performance in such an examination has been significantly affected due to illness in the examination or over the revision period.
6. If a student is, due to illness, suspending from their course.

See also: Mitigating Circumstances