Student Services

Student Health Services

The Student Health Center offers health care to all students at the University. Realizing that students have a busy schedule the Student Health Center will do everything possible to keep students healthy, be supportive and treat illness and injuries quickly so that class absences will be kept to a minimum. Education, including knowledge of current health issues, testing, and counselling are available at the Student Health Center to help students reach their optimum potential.

Mission Statement:
"Student Health Services is dedicated to providing educational, direct supportive, consultative health care to SMU students, staff and faculty and also provides individual attention to each person who comes for help”.

Location:
The Student Health Center is located on the 4th floor of the Student Centre. The phone number is 420-5611 or 496-8778. To contact the nurse after hours, please call cell number 471-8129.

Staff:
The Staff includes four part-time physicians, one full-time RN/Manager, and two secretaries. Two physicians are available daily Monday through Friday by appointment.

Appointments:
An appointment is necessary for most visits. Walk-in students will be seen according to need and availability of staff. Our physicians are booked to see 50 people per day and therefore, it is always good to book appointment an appointment 2-3 days in advance. To book appointments, please call 420-5611.

Appointments are necessary for certain services including women's health concerns and contraception, new prescriptions, physical examinations and illnesses requiring medications.

if you have an appointment and cannot keep it, please call and cancel at least one hour prior to your appointment as other students may be on a cancellation list for appointments. You may leave a message on our voice mail. A fee will be charged for missed office visits to patients who do not give at least an hour's notice of cancellation.

Alumni:

Alumni are eligible to visit our clinic up to 6 months after graduation, when they are expected to find a new Family doctor. Patient charts will be copied and given to alumni at no charge.

Confidentiality:
Your records are absolutely confidential. We do not release your records for any reason without a signed consent form from you. The Student Health Office has a privacy statement for all patients.

Hours:
Student Health Services is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 12:00 and 1:30 to 4:30 (1:30 to 4:00 during the months of June, July and August. If an emergency arises when Student Health Services is closed students may obtain information and referrals from the Nurse who is on call at 471-8129 after hours. The QEII Emergency is located within walking distance from Saint Mary's and is located on Summer Street.

Insurance:
Saint Mary's University offers Student Extended Health Insurance to all full-time students. The coverage starts as of Sept 1 each academic year. Students should check with the Health Plan Office on the 5th floor of the SUB.

CANADIAN STUDENTS: Please bring your up-to-date provincial health card and validated student ID to each office visit. If you do not have a health card or if your health card has expired, you will be required to pay for your office visit.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Please bring your SMUSA International Health Plan card and validated student ID to each office visit. If you have signed a waiver to opt out of the SMUSA International Health Plan, you will be required to pay for your office visit and submit your receipt for payment to your medical insurer unless you have an up-to-date Nova Scotia Medical Insurance card (MSI).

Waivers:
Waivers – Note that if you have your own alternative Health Plan, you may have to pay cash for an office visit. This does not apply to Canadian Students with a Provincial Health Care Plan.

Services Offered:
• Women's Health clinic (pelvic and breast exam, Pap smears, pregnancy testing, etc).
• Allergy injections
• Referrals to specialists in all fields
• Physical Examinations for overseas
• Travel, job applications, sports teams, etc.
• Chronic conditions
• Contraception, education, counselling
• STD testing, treatment, information and follow up prenatal visits
• Limited minor surgical procedures
• Follow-up care from emergency room (ie: dressing changes)
• Immunization advice; vaccines
• Laboratory testing - Blood Work
• Anonymous AIDS/HIV testing
• Basic Medications
• Health Education programs: nutrition counselling,
• Ingrown toenail removal
• Mole removal
• Pamphlet information on a wide variety of medical conditions
• Suture removals
• Alternative medicine information
• Emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill)
• Pregnancy tests

Please Note:  A few of these services are not covered by provincial or international health care, e.g. T.B. tests, physicals for athletic teams, driver's license, 3rd parties including employment, insurance applications, etc. Please check regarding payment coverage when booking appointments.

Sexual Assault Support:
The nurse is qualified to perform a sexual assault forensic exam should a sexual assault occur. She is on call evenings and weekends and available by cell phone @ 471-8129 for sexual assault support.

Blood Work is available: You must have a doctor order your blood work. Blood work hours are Tuesday to Friday, 8:40 to 10:00 a.m. by appointment.

EMERGENCY: Important telephone numbers
• QEII Emergency: 473-2043
• AMBULANCE: 911
• Poison control: 428-8111
• Health Services nurse: 496-8778 (After hours on call: cell number 471-8129)

If you have any questions, comments or general inquiries, we can also be reached by e-mail

Questions?
If you have any questions, comments or general inquiries, we can be reached by e-mail at the following addresses:


This page last modified Wednesday, 08-Feb-2012 09:43:57 AST