UCD students must pay for medical care sought on campus

FEES FOR GP and nurse services are being introduced for students at University College Dublin (UCD).

The UCD student health service was previously free for students but from September 7th charges will include €25 to see a doctor, €10 to see a nurse and €40 for a psychiatric consultation. However, the student counselling service will remain free and both UCD and the students’ union emphasised this was important.

In an e-mail to all students, UCD said it was no longer possible to maintain the way it funded the service in the current economic climate. The service has some 18,000 consultations per academic year.

The move was supported by UCD Students’ Union, which was consulted by college authorities. “UCD has to balance its books and cutbacks have to be made across the board,” said president of UCD students’ union Gary Redmond.

A survey of students last year revealed the priority issues were library opening hours and teaching standards and these will be protected, Mr Redmond said. The union wanted to ensure vulnerable students would be protected. “My main role is to get the message across that if you can’t pay you will still be seen on a means-blind basis. If you need medical attention, go to see a doctor, nurse or psychiatrist,” he said.

Students will not pay on the spot but their student accounts will be charged and they will have to pay within 10 days. If they cannot pay the fees, there is money available through the student welfare fund, he said.

When asked if the fees would apply in campus H1N1 outbreak Mr Redmond said this would be a separate system. The Union of Students of Ireland said similar fees had not been introduced at other third-level institutions. It would not comment on an internal UCD matter.