University of Sussex Health Centre

We’ll, I came across this place probably three times. The results — non of these times was helpful. Possibly, it’s a good health center, I’m not sure what other students think of it, but all the times I came here, ended up with me staying in bed for months, making my room-​mates ill (also them making me ill) (keep in mind, students in dorms don’t live on their own — they share kitchen, toilets, bathroom, sometimes, even rooms — so come on, you can’t allow one person to knock down other eleven in the flat!!!)
I came once with a lymph-​node infection, which was really easy to tell. I was surprised, that the nurse was not wearing proper clothes, normally worn in medical centres; further, she touched me without gloves. Just awesome.
Sorry, but the nurse was just kidding. she didn’t know what to say, suggested, that I didn’t even need antibiotics. I was so embarrassed, because she decided that the reason was poor hygiene at dorms, so I had to wash my clothes instead of taking proper medication. Omg, I couldn’t believe that (I’m absolutely OCD!) she either googled it, or created on her own. (When I went to other doctor who actually helped me, he stated that the reason was very weak immune system (very possible; first-​year students are often exhausted), prescribed me antibiotics for two weeks, and stated the the problem didn’t have any relationships with hygiene at all.)
I came a couple more times, it ended up the same, basically, me being I’ll for another month.
Sorry, but I don’t really know what else to tell you. Yes, this centre is located in a good place, good for students, you can get an appointment pretty much any time, but unfortunately, there is no point going there.
But worth trying, maybe you’ll be luckier than me.

Until recently I visited the doctors maybe once every three years. I don’t know what’s happened to me recently, but in my boyfriend’s words, I seem to be ‘permanently broken’! As I have visited the campus Health Centre at least once a week for the past couple of months, I feel I am in a perfect position to be reviewing their services!
What can I say? The waiting room is nothing special… white plastic garden furniture isn’t exactly the height of comfort and whilst I’m not normally one to comment on waiting room furnishings, the wait in this surgery can be long, so naturally, one begins to look around. In fact its a great place for people watching! This is an extremely busy place– it services many students as well as staff and faculty of the university. The staff are all lovely (except for one woman who is unfailingly rude) but they do tend to overrun quite seriously– I have at times, waited 45 minutes beyond my appointment time. I guess this is probably okay if you’re a first year student with limited obligations (lets be honest!) but as a member of staff, I feel a bit guilty about popping off for over an hour just to pick up a prescription! That said, the benefit of appointments overrunning is that the staff really take their time with you– I have never been rushed out and have always been given the opportunity to discuss multiple issues– they’ll give you as much time as you need. For this reason I’m giving four stars– because caring, professional staff who take a genuine interest in your health is what a doctors surgery should be all about! One star off for uncomfy plastic chairs.

Getting a GP at this health centre is a must if you’re planning on living on Sussex University’s campus for any long period of time. The staff are really friendly and there’re loads of experienced nurses on hand to deal with your typical student dramas — they are particularly trained in areas like sexual health for example. The service is a bit slow as they run morning drop ins, which most people attend instead of booked appointments. Further to that, you’ll see a nurse first who’ll decide whether your problem merits needing to see a doctor. This is very annoying when you know it does, and means waiting twice, even if you have pre-​booked your appointment with a doctor. That’s my only qualm with the place though — the nurses are all really well-​trained, warm and helpful.

When I was a poor old student I would use this medical centre. I mean, I am not some hypochondriac who was here all the time, but you do tend to have some bouts of illness in three years at university.
All in all it’s not a bad medical centre, though the waiting times can be long due to the amount of students on campus and its location i.e. even lazy students can walk a few hundred metres if they are feeling ill!
Generally the staff were pretty good there, but I did once get referred to a private specialist when I had back problems, which I found disappointing, as at the time I wasn’t in the position to pay for expensive medical treatment and really needed NHS assistance.
Otherwise I don’t really have anything bad to say. There is an adjacent chemist, which makes getting your prescription quick and easy. All in all this place is convenient and the staff professional, which is more than can be said of other national health facilities I have used.