We are based in the Student Care Hub on the 7th floor of the UOW. Support is also available to students on regional placements.
Student Care Co-ordinator
Dr Lori Leigh
Room G65 on Level 7, Education Unit of Wellington Campus
Dr Lori Leigh is here to support the wellbeing of students enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine and is the first point of contact for student care.
Some examples of things Lori can help with include:
- If you fall behind on classes or are struggling academically
- Short-term support as you get back on track
- Managing the impact of mental health / stressors on your study
- Connecting with Otago support services including counselling or cultural supports
- Financial issues, including hardship
- Accommodation issues
- Communication issues, including flatmates, other students and staff
- If you are unwell and need someone to help you work out how to manage and/or liaise with your course coordinators
Lori works alongside the many services available to support students and can connect you with: academic support (Associate Professor Cindy Towns, Associate Dean, Academic Progress), programme advice, University and Faculty support services and, as required, referral to appropriate external services.
Lori is a trained professional who offers pastoral care and guidance to students through support pathways. Support will be responsive, non-judgmental, confidential, compassionate and student-centred, with access to a wide range of services.
Book an appointment
Please email Lori to arrange a time:
Email fom-w.studentcarehub@otago.ac.nz
Counselling
Counselling support is available for students who need assistance with wellbeing or learning. Students may choose a counsellor or psychologist of their choice, or our on-site counsellor Dr Denise Steers.
If you are seeking an external counsellor please contact Lori first to arrange the referral and to check the terms and conditions of any funding subsidy that may be available to you.
More about the counselling subsidy
On-site Counsellor
Dr Denise Steers
Room E27, near the Library
Dr Denise Steers is our wonderful on-site student counsellor. Denise works Mondays and Thursdays, usually 9am-4:30.
Book an appointment
Email studentcounsellor.uow@otago.ac.nz
Denise recommends the Smiling Mind app for all students interested – it has meditations to help calm your mind and focus your thinking.
Online counselling service
If you aren’t based in Wellington or prefer an online service, the University of Otago also has Puāwaitanga – an individual counselling service. It is available 9am-9pm, 7 days a week, and you can book an appointment by enrolling online. You will need your student ID number.
Visit Puāwaitanga website to enrol online or call:
Tel 0800 782 999
Medical Protection Society
Medical Protection Society (MPS) offers free membership to medical students and free access to counselling with a psychologist.
Visit the Medical Protection Society website
GP services
Full-time domestic students subsidy
All full-time domestic students in Wellington who pay the Student Services Fee are eligible for the discounted GP scheme at Newtown Medical Centre. Students need to register with Newtown Medical Centre as UOW students.
Eligible students who choose to attend a different GP clinic must:
- Have the GP clinic invoice UOW directly for the subsidy (the clinic must be an official supplier to the University), or
- Pay the full fee on the day, obtain a GST receipt, and email it for reimbursement to uow.studentaffairsadmin@otago.ac.nz
The maximum amount claimable is $46 per GP visit.
Services not included
These services are not covered by the subsidy:
- ACC consultations
- Nurse consultations
- House calls and after hours
- Travel medicine and vaccinations
- Driving medicals
- Immigration medicals
- Insurance medicals
- Well person checks
- Depo Provera injections
- IUD insertions
- Wart removal
Students not eligible for the subsidy
Part-time domestic students in Wellington are not eligible for the GP subsidy.
International students are not eligible for the GP subsidy. However, you may attend any GP of your choosing as casual patients and request a receipt for insurance claims.
External counselling terms and conditions
Students may choose a counsellor or psychologist of their choice, or our on-site counsellor Dr Denise Steers. Full-time domestic students eligible for the GP subsidy who choose their own psychologist or counsellor must contact Lori to arrange the referral and check eligibility for the subsidy.
The subsidy then can be accessed by:
- Having the clinic invoice UOW directly for the subsidy (the clinic must be an official supplier to the University), or
- Paying the full fees, obtaining a GST receipt then emailing it to: uow.studentaffairsadmin@otago.ac.nz
The maximum amount claimable is $120 per appointment up to a maximum of 4 appointments.
Emergency help
Are you experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis?
Visit https://1737.org.nz/ for immediate options for getting help.
Police, Ambulance, Fire Service
Call 111