Life at Merton: Health & Welfare

The Welfare Team at Merton includes the Head of Welfare, Senior Welfare Adviser, College Nurse, Student Support Administrator and three Junior Deans for Welfare.  

• The Head of Welfare oversees welfare provision in College and leads the Welfare Team. Like the Senior Welfare Adviser, she is also available to undergraduate and graduate students to talk through any welfare matters and offer support, information and guidance.  
• The Senior Welfare Adviser is available to undergraduate and graduate students for advice and guidance on any welfare-related issue. She coordinates the Junior Deans for Welfare. 
• The College Nurse offers medical help and welfare support to all members of College in regular general surgery hours during termtime.  
• The Student Support Administrator supports the administrative processes of the team, including advice about financial support and College grants.  
• The three Junior Deans for Welfare participate in an on-call rota during term-time to respond to urgent welfare concerns. 

• The College Chaplain and his team also offer pastoral care to the entire College community. 
• Two Harassment Advisers may be consulted informally by Junior Members who believe they may be victims of harassment, or who are merely seeking advice. 
• In addition to these official College positions, the JCR and MCR each elect a number of students as Welfare Officers and other representatives. A team of students is trained as Merton Peer Supporters who are trained in listening and communication skills. 

• The College Doctor and his partners have their surgery at the Jericho Health Centre, New Radcliffe House, Walton Street, Oxford, OX2 6NW. 
• For students who will need a visa to study in the UK (non-EEA nationals), information about the UK government’s immigration health surcharge can be found at www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application. For courses lasting six months or more this allows access to NHS treatment on the same basis as a resident.