Available Services

Our doctors are available for routine and urgent appointments.

If necessary, our doctor can refer you to the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E), or other healthcare services. 

We aim to offer urgent appointments within 24 hours of your request.  

Routine appointments are scheduled as soon as possible.

When booking an appointment, please let us know if you would prefer to see a male or a female doctor.

Services provided by the nurse include:

• Changing and caring for dressings
• Removing stitches 
• Sexual health assessments for students with or without symptoms. The nurse can provide treatment and, if needed, refer you to a specialist sexual health clinic.
• Contraceptive advice, assessments and prescriptions.

• Assessing minor illnesses such as:

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Sore throats
  • Scabies 

  The nurse may provide a prescription if appropriate.

• Ear Syringing (removal of ear wax)
  • Before your appointment, use ear drops to soften the ear wax for at least 4 days.
  • Ear drops can be bought at any pharmacy.

Bloods tests will only be arranged if: 

• The doctor decides they are medically necessary.
• They are required for clinical placement screening.
• You provide a letter from a GP, consultant or hospital doctor and you have contacted the Student Health Centre to confirm that the tests can be carried out.

Appointment times: Monday to Thursday mornings only. 

Consultation fee:  €20 plus the doctor consultation fee of €30 if you do not have a letter from your own doctor.

When booking an appointment: 

• Please tell us that you would like to request blood tests.
• We try to arrange the doctor consultation and blood tests during the same appointment, but this may not always possible.

Results:

• When your results are available, they will be reviewed by a member of our medical team. 
• If your blood test results need further investigation or treatment, you should contact your own GP.

Blood Tests Related to Gender‑Affirming Hormone Therapy

The Student Health Centre does not provide blood tests to monitor gender‑affirming hormone treatment. 

These blood tests must be arranged through the specialist gender service or GP responsible for your treatment. This is because these tests require specialist knowledge and monitoring.

This approach is followed by all Student Health Centres that are members of the Irish Student Health Association (ISHA).

If you require ongoing monitoring as part of your hormone therapy, you should attend your specialist gender service or the GP managing your treatment. 

We are happy to provide general health advice, support, and referrals if needed.

Free contraception is available to women aged 17 to 35 years.

You must have a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN), issued by the Irish Government, to use this service. Students without a PPSN will be charged a consultation fee. 

Your most common contraception questions are answered in a mini video series by Student Health Centre doctor, Dr Amy Purcell. Dr Purcell is an expert in women’s health. 

When booking an appointment please tell us:

• What type of contraception the appointment relates to. 
• Whether you need a repeat of a prescription previously issued by the Student Health Centre, or
• Whether this is your first appointment for contraception at the Student Health Centre.

Students attending the Student Health Centre for contraception for the first time will need a full assessment with the nurse.  

Prescriptions: 

• Prescriptions are sent electronically to your chosen pharmacy. 
• Please allow at least 48 hours’ notice when booking a contraceptive clinic appointment. 
• Same-day requests cannot be accommodated.
• Book your appointment before your prescription runs out.

Emergency Contraception (morning-after pill): 

Emergency contraception works best when taken as soon as possible. Please contact a local pharmacy. 

Implanon: 

• The Implanon bar can be inserted and removed at the Student Health Centre. 
• Please state clearly when booking that the appointment relates to Implanon.  
• Appointments are available Monday to Friday, mornings only.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)/ Intrauterine System (IUS):  

• Advice and pre-insertion swab tests can be provided at the Student Health Centre.
• Removal and insertion of these devices can be done at our doctor's surgery in the city. It is called Old Windmill Family Practice.  You must be currently registered as a UL student to use this service.

For more information about contraception visit: 

• HSE Free Contraception Service 
• My Contraception.ie

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Screening Service

The Student Health Centre provides a free service for screening, diagnosing and treating STIs.  

To ensure accurate results, please wait for at least 2 weeks after unprotected sex before attending for screening.

Test Results

If your test result is positive, the nurse will contact you within 10 days of your appointment. 

If your results are normal, you will be notified as soon as possible after the results have been received and confirmed.

An STI screening may include:

• A discussion about your sexual history.
• A physical examination, if needed.
• A blood sample to test for HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis.
• For women: a vaginal swab and, where needed, a throat swab to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• For men: A urine sample to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea.  For the most accurate results, the first urine sample of the day is recommended.

Contraception and sexual health information and advice.

Our chartered physiotherapist specialises in treating: 

• Sports injuries
• Musculoskeletal disorders and postural problems
• Back and neck pain
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Soft tissue mobilisation
• Dry needling
• Flexibility and exercise programmes

This service is provided at our doctor's surgery in the city.  It is called Old Windmill Family Practice. You must be currently registered as a UL student in order to use this service.