Student dos and don'ts during Covid-19

Published: 14 April 2020 Ezine

With information coming from various quarters, we understand that it’s a struggle to find any clarity. The SoR is keeping on top of any advice, as best we can, coming from your regulating body, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and university course leaders.

Please speak to your higher education institution (HEI) in the first instance. The advice from the HCPC is aimed at all allied health professionals and HEIs must make decisions on individual students.

For the SoR, the priority is that students are able to finish their year or course on time and remain safe through this pandemic.

Do’s

Don’ts

Do look after your health: whether you’re working in a busy department, looking after Coronavirus patients, working on your academic studies, or self-isolating, please consider your physical and mental health. You can’t help anyone if you’re unwell. There’s no right or wrong way to do this but there are tips and tricks that can help if you would like. For general information, click here.

 

Don’t put yourself in danger. Follow the guidelines set by the government. If you’re vulnerable, or one of your household is, and you have been advised to self-isolate, make sure you do. If you’re worried about missing out on a job you have lined up, or you have any financial issues, talk to someone. We can help you, your HEI can, the citizen advice bureau can. It’s not brave to put yourself or people you care about in unnecessary danger.

Do concentrate on your course so that you can pass the year and either progress to the next year or qualify. Becoming a radiographer is your most important job right now.

Don’t start working if you have outstanding academic work. It’s important that you get your degree and are not disadvantaged by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Dowork if you are willing and able, We’re advising that student and newly qualified radiographers don’t go to the Nightingale hospitals. You should be working in places that are familiar to you.

Don’t feel pressured to work if you choose not to or are unable. The emphasis from the HCPC is that no one should be disadvantaged for opting-out of the work options available to them.

Do contact us if you have any questions about any aspect of this at any time. Look out for output by the UK Student Reps Forum. They are planning tweet chats and campaigns on their Twitter feed @SoRStudentReps and Facebook group UK SoR Student Rep Forum.

Don’t suffer in silence. We cannot emphasise enough the importance of talking to us or your HEI if you’re concerned at all about any of this. Nic Smith, student officer, along with regional officers and the rest of the SoR team are willing and able to assist you with enquiries or point you in the right direction. Email us.