A NEW study has revealed that the University of Edinburgh has achieved the joint highest ranking for accessible student healthcare available to students in the UK.
The university gained a score of 92.43/100, along with the University of Westminster, for the accessibility to health facilities such as GPs, pharmacies and sexual health clinics.
The study revealed that the university met the criteria for the ‘platinum tier’ having 48 GPs, 19 pharmacies and 6 sexual health clinics in the surrounding area for students to access healthcare services.
This comes as almost 50% of university students have reported that their mental health and well-being have worsened since the beginning of the academic year. Survey respondents also claimed that maintaining physical health has been a struggle due to increasing costs.
In addition, government data has revealed a spike in the number of students catching STIs at universities. In the last year, there were 4.7% more diagnoses of new STIs in the UK since 2022. And with young people aged 15 to 24 years remaining the most likely to be diagnosed with STIs, sexual health facilities are essential at university.
The study, conducted by ED treatment providers UK Meds, ranks the UK’s universities by examining NHS data to find the number of GP surgeries, sexual health clinics and pharmacies in the postcodes of each major UK university.
The University of Edinburgh also offers free menstrual products for all students across the campus, as well as free eye and dental care for the duration of their studies, with dental and optical medical practices located in the central university campus.
The University of Strathclyde follows Westminster and Edinburgh ranking in second place with a score of 91. This is followed by University College London (90.75), London South Bank University (90.47) and the University of Glasgow (88.79).
4 of the 15 universities in the platinum tier are Scotland-based universities with the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Strathclyde all achieving ratings of over 85/100 for their outstanding accessibility to healthcare.
Dr Alexis, GP at UK Meds, commented:
“Students have long faced challenges in managing their mental and physical well-being amid academic pressures and personal changes. The transition to university life often brings increased stress, anxiety, and health issues due to factors such as irregular sleep, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise.
It’s crucial for universities and their surrounding communities to provide easily accessible and comprehensive healthcare services.
Many universities have established excellent health and wellness services, which are commendable. However, it’s clear that some institutions still fall short. Students in these areas may struggle with inadequate access to necessary care, long wait times, or insufficient support.
Investing in robust healthcare services is essential for enabling a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and personally. Universities must ensure their healthcare offerings meet student needs and set a high standard for others to follow.”