Dear students,
We have now had time to reflect on new Government guidance issued on Tuesday evening regarding student travel at the end of term, and the particular implications for those on clinical placements.
Information for students on clinical placement beyond 9 December
All clinical placements are continuing as planned as these are exempt from the end of term guidance in recognition of clinical students’ status as future healthcare professionals and critical workers.
We strongly encourage you to complete your placement but also understand that in certain circumstances you may feel the need to return home earlier, during the student travel window (3-9 December). Please be aware you may need to make up missed placements, where necessary and feasible, on your return next term. However, there will be challenges with availability, capacity and scheduling, some of which are outside our control, and students will need to be flexible.
The situation differs across clinical professions and course teams will be in touch directly with specific cohorts about the implications for your placement and on-site teaching. They will explain the feasibility of alternative arrangements and any risks to timely progression should you choose to leave early, so you can make an informed personal decision.
If you do decide, having received further information from your course team, that you need to leave during the student travel window, please follow the guidance on testing below.
Our local testing arrangements and availability
To remind you, from 30 November to 9 December and on 11 and 14 December, we will be running a test centre at St George’s for all students, including those on placement, who are not displaying symptoms of Covid-19 (i.e. who are asymptomatic). Details of how to book a test are below.
For students leaving during the student travel window, we encourage you to undertake this testing (ideally two tests, three days apart) before the break, especially if you are travelling from a term-time address to a different location. This is recommended to help reduce the risks to you, your families, friends and home communities. Students on clinical placement beyond our testing window should be guided by your placement host on the testing practices which apply to healthcare workers in your setting.
The last date we are currently able to offer asymptomatic testing at the University is 14 December, a date set due to the expiry of the exemption of registration granted by the Care Quality Commission. The length of the exemption is being reviewed at a national level and we will update you if the position changes.
Further information about the testing approach is available on our Covid Information Hub.
Booking your test
There is now no deadline to book a test, but you will need to book at least 24 hours before your preferred slot. We recommend that you book early to ensure availability. Please book both of your tests at the same time, scheduling them at least three days apart.
Book your test here
Please see course specific guidance on when to book your tests, based on your education commitments.
For information about how your data will be used in our booking system, see the Covid-19 Asymptomatic Testing Privacy Notice [PDF]
Where to go and what to bring
Our test centre will be located in the Robert Lowe Sports Centre [see map].
Please wear a face covering, unless you are exempt from doing so, in which case you must wear a visor to the site and alert the site manager to your position when you arrive so that additional precautions can be taken.
Please bring your mobile phone with you, which you will need to use for registering for your test. Please do not come to your test if you have symptoms or if you have had a positive PCR test in the past 10 days.
Travelling for the festive break
National lockdown measures are in place until Wednesday 2 December, restricting travel. The ‘student travel window’ follows during Thursday 3 – Wednesday 9 December and most of you should make the journey to the address where you will spend the break during this period.
Following your testing:
- If you receive two negative tests, you should make your journey immediately (within 24 hours of the second test).
- If you can only fit in one test, again, please make your journey within 24 hours if you receive a negative result.
- If you are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive, but you receive two negative test results yourself and have no coronavirus symptoms, you can make your journey but must use private transport wherever possible. If you have no option but to use public transport, you must strictly observe social distancing measures, wearing a face covering and washing your hands regularly and thoroughly during the journey. You must continue self-isolation at your destination for a period of 14 days.
- While students are strongly encouraged to get tested to help protect others, if you have not accessed testing before making your journey, you are not required to self-isolate. You are asked to travel as safely as possible using the guidance at the link below.
- If you have coronavirus symptoms or have tested positive, you should not travel until you have been tested and/or advised to do so by NHS Test & Trace.
For further information, see the Government guidance about student movement and plans for the end of term.
When planning your transport, please see the Coronavirus: safer travel guidance for passengers.
I would like to thank you all again for your understanding and resilience in these uncertain times. This is a challenging situation for us all and we are doing our best to respond to changing guidance as quickly as we can. We will be in touch should there be any further changes to the current situation.
Best wishes,
Paul Ratcliffe
Chief Operating Officer