Health Services in Ireland
EU Nationals
Students from EU Member States in possession of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to public health services in Ireland. The EHIC card is available from the health authorities in your home country. For further information and information on your entitlements to healthcare while in Ireland, please see www.ehic.ie
Non-EU Nationals
It is a requirement of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services (www.inis.gov.ie ) that non-EU students obtain private health insurance in Ireland, see Health Insurance page . UCD does not arrange health insurance for students.
However please note that non-EU students who will be resident in Ireland for a minimum of one year are eligible for public hospital treatment under the same conditions as an Irish citizen. Under this scheme, students pay €100 for a visit to accident and emergency and, if admitted to hospital, €75 per day up to a maximum of €750 for the first ten days. No further charges are imposed if a student is in hospital longer than 10 days. Students will not be covered if travelling to Northern Ireland or other EU countries. For more information non-EU students should contact their local HSE (Health Service Executive) or visit www.hse.ie. Non-EU students staying less than one year are not covered under this scheme.
UCD Student Health Services
The Student Health Service (located on the first floor of the Student Centre building) provides on-campus medical, psychological and psychiatric care to registered students of the university. If students are worried about a health problem, they should go to the Student Health Service, where the receptionist will make an appointment for them to see the appropriate health officer. For further information, visit: www.ucd.ie/stuhealth
Health Service Policy on Emergencies
Emergencies receive priority and are dealt with immediately by the doctors and nurses during normal opening hours. Outside opening hours please contact: EASTDOC or CONTACTORS (see contact details below) or go to the nearest hospital’s Accident and Emergency unit (St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park can be used for any acute medical or psychiatric emergencies (24 hour service)).
EastDoc
Tel: (01) 2094021
Weekdays: 6pm-10pmWeekends/Bank holidays: 10am-6pm
Contactors
Tel: (01) 8300244 (House Call Service - 24 hour service)
Dental Treatment
There is no dental service attached to the Student Health Service and dental care is not covered to a great extent with a medical card. Dental treatment is relatively expensive in Dublin and students are advised to have a check-up before they leave home. If dental treatment is required, please ask the Student Health Service for the name of a local dentist.
Meningitis C Vaccination
The Irish Department of Health and Children has introduced a national programme to immunise everyone up to and including 22 years of age against Meningitis C. If you are within this age group we would advise you to get a vaccination against Meningitis C before you arrive.
If it is not available in your own country you are advised to avail of it free of charge in the UCD Student Health Centre. Because meningitis can develop swiftly and in its early stages may be confused with colds and flu, we would ask you to note its symptoms. This is particularly important for those of you who will live with other students in either residences or apartments.
The most common symptoms are vomiting, fever, severe headache, painful joints and stiff neck. As the disease progresses, the following may develop; dislike of light, disorientation, reduced awareness possibly leading to coma and development of red or purple spots on the skin that do not fade under pressure. If you suspect that you have meningitis contact your doctor immediately or attend the nearest casualty/hospital accident and emergency department.